Ernest A. Houck

Posted on December 1, 2017

Ernest A. Houck, 96, died on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Perry.
Ernest was born Feb. 16, 1921, in Perry to Samuel S. Houck and Lilla Howell Houck.
Ernest honorably served our country in the United States Army during WWII. Mr. Houck was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Athena Baptist Church, where he served as deacon for 48 years. He received a degree in accounting from the Freeman Business College in 1940.
Mr. Houck returned to Perry, after serving in the army, and began the lifelong career of raising cattle/tree farming at his and Mrs. Helen’s farm off of Red Padgett Rd.
Over the years he received numerous recognitions: in 1958, he received Outstanding Farm Family of the year; 1961, Outstanding Tree Farmer of Taylor County; in 1965, the County Conservation Award; in 1976, he was chosen as Conservation Farmer of the year; and in 1981, he received the Cattleman of the Year from the Taylor County Cattlemen Association. He has actively served on the TaylorCountyFarmBureau Board of Directors since 1962, serving as secretary and treasurer for 29 years.
Ernest was preceded in death by: his son, John Amos Houck, and his parents, Samuel S. and Lilla Howell Houck.
Mr. Houck is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mrs. Helen M. Houck as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Friday), Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Perry with Brother Mike Parker and Will Kendrick officiating. Interment services will follow immediately afterward in New Hope Cemetery.
The family received friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Burns Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch or to the Athena Baptist Church Building Fund.
All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may sign the online guest book at www. joepburnsfuneralhomes. com.