HOUCHINS, JOHN OSCAR (1939 ~ 2008). The following is an obituary for John Oscar Houchins, former member of the Texas Water Develoment Board. The obituary was published in the May 3, 2008 edition of the Houston Chronicle.
"JOHN OSCAR HOUCHINS was born on November 18th, 1939 and passed away on April 29, 2008. He was a native of Weimar, Texas and the only child of Oscar Houchins and Mary Elizabeth Houchins. He attended Weimar public schools and was graduated from Weimar High School in 1958.
His education is as follows; Baylor University-B.A., 1961; University of Pennsylvania- Wharton School of Finance- M.B.A., 1962; Baylor University School of Law- L.L.B., 1966; and Member of Texas State Bar- practicing Lawyer over 40 years. He was an outstanding athlete in Weimar, Texas as an all district quarterback of the football team, and pitcher on the baseball team. He also starred in basketball and participated on the track team. In the 1970's and 1980's he practiced law and was the proprietor of John Houchins and Sons, a manufacturer of shovels, wheelbarrows, and other hardware equipment with plants located in Weimar and Schulenburg Texas.
He was appointed by Governor Mark White to the Texas Water Development Board in 1985. Since then he engaged in full time practice of law specializing in municipal and water law. He represented a number of prominent water control districts, landowners, and municipal utility districts in Texas and California.
His hobbies were studying genealogy, Texas history, collecting antique guns, hunting, and outdoor activities. He was recognized as a national authority on L.C. Smith Guns and published a book on the subject entitled L.C. Smith, The Legend Lives. He also authored articles for the Double Gun Journal. He was an active member of the Order of Odd Fellows Sovereign Grand Lodge.
Mr. Houchins is survived by his daughter Heather Houchins Morrow and her husband Doug Morrow of Houston, his son Walker Houchins of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, his cousin Elizabeth Shatto Massey of Dallas, and his two half brothers Oscar Houchins Jr. and James Houchins. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Elizabeth Houchins of Weimar and father Oscar Houchins. The service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 2:00p.m. in Weimar, Texas at the Hubbard Funeral Home."
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department. |
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