Jim Houston-age 80 of Sharps Chapel passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at his home.
Proceeded in death by parents: Ottis and Grace (Walker) Houston, sister Ada Mae Houston, and brother Samuel Houston.
Survivors: Wife Meryl Linkous Houston, daughter Jamie Rhodes (Stacy), son Jason, and daughter Julie, stepdaughter Ashley McCann (Bryan), grandchildren Chase Rhodes (Ally), Caleb Rhodes, Kaylee Houston, Brooklyn and Rachel Sharp, Augustus and Eleanor McCann. Great grandchildren Kinsley and Rhett.
Sister Linda Ruth Houston Ousley, and several nieces and nephews.
Jim deeply loved his family and he thought that each one was special in their own way. His heart was with his church and the community that he served for 80 years.
He was a long-standing member of Valley Grove Missionary Baptist Church and served as a deacon and member of the choir.
One of the founding members of the Union County Rescue Squad, he served as Captain for 27 years, also serving as chaplain and treasurer for many years. He was a member of TARS since 1963. He was an instructor for TARS and the American Red Cross since 1981. Jim served as Region 2 Vice President of the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads from 1988-1992 and then again from 2008-2018.
Jim was a member of Masonic Lodge #455 F. & A.M. and the Kerbela Shriners. In 2006 he retired from public office after serving 12 years as Union County Clerk. At the age of 16, Jim began volunteering with the Union County school system, keeping the clock for basketball games which he continued for 63 years through the 2020-2021 season.
Jim took great pride in his beautiful garden and growing and harvesting sugar cane to make molasses on his beloved family farm.
The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2021 Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel. A masonic service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2021 by Blazing Star Lodge #455 with funeral service to follow, Rev. Kyle Shell, Rev. Greg Sharp officiating with music by Valley Grove Church Singers. The body may be viewed after 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment 11 a.m. Saturday, Stiner Cemetery, Sharps Chapel. Please meet at the funeral home by 9:30 to go in the procession. Pallbearers: Chase Rhodes, Caleb Rhodes, Lee Hutchison, Larry Brantley, Mike Ousley, Matthew Ousley, Jason Creech. Honorary Pallbearers: Vic Reis, Ray McBee and members of The Union County Rescue Squad. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.