- Date Of Birth: July 11, 1931
- Date Of Death: May 3, 2023
- State: Ohio
Benny Rease Houston, 91, of Lima, passed away on May 3,2023 at 10:19am at St. Ritas Medical Center. He was born on July 11, 1931, in Town Creek, Alabama to parents Robert James Houston Sr., and Janie (Brown) Houston. Both parents have preceded him in death.
He was a beloved father who would do anything for his family and friends. His family meant the world to him and that was always on display. Benny was a Marine who loved his country and served while stationed at Camp Pendleton in California with the 1st Marine Division, which is the oldest, largest and most decorated Division in the Marine Corps, where he served in the Korean War. Benny also served in the Air Force and Army with a career spanning more than 30 years before retiring from the Army Reserve in Lima, Ohio. Benny was involved with the Free and Accepted Masons throughout his life. He worked for, and was retired from Phillips Magnavox in Ottawa Ohio after 32 years. Benny was the father of 6 boys; Anthony R. (Monica) Houston of Dallas, TX., Dana L. (Alicia) Houston of Lima, Glenn M (Ereen) Upthegrove of Hampton, VA., Eric L. (Carly) Houston of Lima, Lamar K. (Sharon) Houston of Lima, a Brother; Larry Houston; Daughter-in-law Christina, and his deceased son; Gary A. Houston, with whom he now rejoices in the clouds of Heaven. 19 Grandchildren; Shannon Upthegrove and Stephan Upthegrove, Madison Houston, Braelin Houston, Tanea (Daryl) Gilcrease-Upshaw, Veronica Gilcrease, and Ronnie Gilcrease Jr., Eric L. Houston, Jerod Houston, Bryanna Houston, Justin Houston, Amaya Houston, Landon Houston, Cleah Simpson, Alizah Simpson, MJ Simpson, Gary A. Houston Jr., Marquel (Latosha) Houston, Danajia Houston, Anton Houston, and many great-grandchildren as well. With his love so abundant, there is one other man, Ronnie (Cheryl) Gilcrease, that he also considered as a son to him. Benny was an avid fisherman, and he loved watching his shows; Gunsmoke, In the Heat of the Night, and the Andy Griffith Show, and John Wayne Movies, and many other westerns and movies and of course, Sanford and Son, often doing his best Fred Sanford impression to make us all laugh.
