James Lawrence “Jim” Houser

James Lawrence “Jim” Houser, 92, of Monett passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 at his home.
He was born on Oct. 19, 1933, in Philadelphia, Penn., the third of four sons born to Myra and Delbert Henry Houser.
The family moved to Mesquite, Texas. He attended Mesquite High School. Baylor University was the next step in his education, and during this time his friend set him up on a blind date with Molly Alice Rogers. They were married on Aug. 28, 1953, and were married 67 years when Molly passed away in November of 2020. More schooling followed Baylor at Golden Gate Seminary in California where he received a master’s in counseling. More schooling followed Golden Gate Seminary at the University of Utah on a National Science Foundation grant, which resulted in another degree. He also attained a Master of Education from Texas Wesleyan University in 1959. He and Molly served in many towns in Kenya and Tanzania, including Kisumu, Kenya where their last child was born. He and Molly left Africa in 1993 but continued to be involved in missions at the church and county level in Texas. During these post-Africa years, he was hired by Baylor University to teach Swahili, which he did for about 18 years. After Molly’s death in 2020, he moved to Las Cruces, N.M., to live with his daughter and son-in-law for three and a half years.
In July 2025, he moved to Missouri where he married Carol Ann (Wallace) Brubeck, she herself was a former missionary to Tanzania.
Surviving are his wife Carol; five children, Stacy (Tami) Houser, Mona (Dave) Entwistle, Bryan Houser, Scott (Ana) Houser and Bill (Lisa) Houser; stepchildren, Dan (Angela) Brubeck, Clint (Ruth) Brubeck, Jessica Eisenhauer, Linda Brubeck, Maria Brubeck and Mario Brubeck; three brothers, Charles, Don and Paul Houser; 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents and first wife Molly Alice Rogers.
Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.
Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences.