David Andrew Houston, late of Weyburn passed away December 23, 2011, at the age of 90 years. David was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Eliza Houston; sister, Agnes Hall. David is survived by his wife Evelyn Houston, Weyburn; his children: Stephen (Gloria) Houston, Abbotsford, BC and their family: Ghenette (Brian), Kara (Tim) and her daughter Emily, James (Carolyn) Houston, Calgary, AB and their family: Philip (Jessica) and their children: Maggie and Evie, Joel (Dani), Andrew (Sarah), Heather Houston (Gerry Griffin), Val-des-Monts, PQ and her daughter, Samantha (Ray), Laurel (Brian) Hopfe, Weyburn, and their children: Jeran (Jaimee), Jordan and Jay; brother, Mac (Gerry) Houston, Arcola, as well as several nieces and nephews. David Andrew Houston was born July 12, 1921 at the farm home of Sam and Eliza Houston near Kisbey. He grew up on the farm with his sister Agnes and brother Mac. He took a course in aero engine mechanics, joined the army in 1940, transferred to the air force in 1941, worked as an aircraft mechanic for the duration of the war, and came home from overseas in February 1946. He came home to find that Evelyn Lines, from Abbey, had come to teach in the one-room Percy School. Their first date was April 12, 1946 (they went to a play in Kisbey) and on July 30, 1947, they were married in the Lines farm home at Abbey. Evelyn's sister, Shirley, was bridesmaid and Albert Gordon the best man. Their honeymoon was in a tumbledown cottage at Carlyle Lake (the roof leaked but the price was right- $10 for a week). In September 1948, David and Evelyn bought a storefront from Forget, and moved it to the family farm. The first location was in the shade of the trees and that years abundant snowfall buried the house! Access was via tunnel for the winter and then the house was moved. The blue house across the yard from Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Mac was the first home for Stephen, Jim, Heather and Laurel. David and Evelyn were capable planners - in the hospital, when Heather was born, Mom informed Dr. Plaster she would be back a year later to have another. Heather was born in April and Laurel the following July! In 1962, they moved two miles south to the Reid farm (and purchased two Icelandic ponies!) Along with farming grain and cattle, Dad drove the grader for the municipality in the summer and the snow plough in the winter, served as a councillor for the RM of Brock. He also installed and maintained telephones (their number was 4-5 ring 1-4 on the party line) and changed fuses for Sask Power after thunder storms. At times he was up a power pole on a rainy day, using metal cleats to climb and a metal hook on the end of a wooden stick to change a fuse, and could feel the hair on his neck stand up from the electricity in the air! One day during harvest, one of the sons had to move the auger from one granary to another. He hitched the auger to the truck, forgot it was there, made a left turn out of the yard and wrapped the brand new auger around a gatepost. It was a long drive to the field to inform Dad! Fortunately (the son remembers the occasion well) his father wasn't given to outbursts of anger! His children cannot remember him ever saying an unkind word to or about anyone - we remember being disciplined, but it was well deserved and it's lessons have endured. A personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faithfulness to the local church began when David was young, continued in the air force, and were hallmarks of his life. He and Evelyn were involved in the church at Percy, Arcola (where he was an elder for many years), Caronport, Silver Heights Bible Church and in the ministry of Kenosee Lake Bible Camp. In October of 1972 our parents moved to Caronport, returning to farm for the summers of 1973-75, and spending winters doing maintenance at the Bible school. In 1975 they bought and built a pre-fab house at Caronport. In April of 1977 the farm machinery was sold and in April of 1978 the farm was rented to Grant Gordon. In July of 1981 they sold their Caronport home and moved back to the farm. Spending the winters of 1982 and 1983 doing volunteer work at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Texas. In April 1990, dad and mom purchased their new condominium in Weyburn, had a final family gathering at the farm in August and said goodbye to the Percy community. This past April, as they prepared to move to Parkway Lodge, dad remarked that they had lived in the condo longer than in any other location--21 years. As kids dad taught us to care for and work with animals and how to drive and maintain vehicles. He did his best and what he began he did completely and properly. He showed us how to be optimistic in the worst circumstances. Heather remembers walking in a field of wheat with him after it had been flattended by hail just before harvest. He said we normally would have had 35-40 bushels an acre and insurance would only give us 11, but he didn't express any fear or worry - we would be okay; God would provide. Even these last years of personal health challenges have been meet by dad and mom with consideration and love for each other, and their usual wonderful blend of common sense and a deep trust in the Lord to provide for them. Some good memories include having coffee with dad and his friends in Weyburn, talking in the condo after mom had gone to bed and watching him read his Bible and the daily bread before retiring. He loved the Lord, his wife, his family and their families, the church, his friend and his work. He was a gentle, faithful, loyal, wise, generous and loving man who will be greatly missed. A funeral service for David was held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. from Silver Heights Bible Church. Interment followed at Percy Cemetery, Kisbey. Pallbearers were Philip Houston, Jeran Hopfe, Jordan Hopfe, Jay Hopfe, Ghenette Houston and Brian Ladd. Those wishing to make a donation in David's memory may do so to Silver Heights Bible Church, Kenosee Lake Bible Camp (Box 217, Kenosee Lake S0C 2S0) or their favorite charity. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
