Odis Oliver Houston

Odis Oliver Houston, husband, father, and grandfather went to his heavenly home April 20, 2026 at the age of 88.  Born to John and Agnes Houston at Fort Sumner, New Mexico on August 13, 1937, he graduated from Booneville High School in Booneville, Arkansas.  

He served in the National Guard from 1956-1964.  Subsequently, he worked in both Texas and Kansas for the Highway Departments as Forman of Engineering, and most recently as the Maintenance Engineer at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield, MO.  Raising cattle was a big part of his life no matter where he lived or worked.  

In 1961, Odis married Rita Ann Askew in Plainview, TX and they were married until 1991.  They had 2 children; Don Houston (Deb) of Columbia, MO, and Amy Austin (Aaron) of Halltown, MO.  In 1995 Odis married Linda Bouchard and they lived on the family farm in Mt Vernon, MO.  

In addition to his wife and children, Odis is survived by 6 grandchildren:  Jessica Dunn (Matthew), Angela Hansen (Trevor), Spencer Austin, Myles Austin, Amelia Austin, and Luke Austin, 2 stepchildren and 1 sibling.  Odis was preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings.

Memories of Odis will always include him watching TV westerns while holding his dog Ollie, being able to fix absolutely anything with whatever is on hand, and helping family repair or build whatever they were doing.  Please join his family by smiling as you recall Odis saying, “If you’re waiting on me, you’re walking  ‘back-ards’”.