HOUSTON, Dr. Oliver Clifton "Ollie"

HOUSTON, SLOVER, BRITTON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/16/2016 at 01:51:17

Biography of Dr. Oliver Clifton "Ollie" Houston, Jr.
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Dr. Oliver C. "Ollie" Houston was born on September 28, 1928, in Independence, Missouri, the son of Oliver and Edith (Slover) Houston.

One of Graceland's all-time most durable instructors, "Ollie" Houston entered the world of music when he began taking piano lessons at the age of 5. He composed his first hymn at 7 and started learning to play the organ at 14. He attended Ott Elementary School and graduated from William Chrisman High School.

After graduating from Graceland in 1947, Dr. Houston served as a chaplain's assistant and field organist for the U.S. Army's 8th and 31st Infantry Divisions during the Korean War. He attended William Jewell College for one year before obtaining his B.A. in music theory from the University of Kansas City in 1951. He then completed his master's in music theory from the University of Michigan in 1956, the same year he returned to Graceland as a member of the music faculty. He continued his education at the University of Colorado, earning his Ed.D.in music education in 1963, and frequently served as chairman of the Fine Arts Division at Graceland. In 1966, Summer School was reinstated with Dr. Houston serving as director.

More than four decades of Graceland students have known Dr. Houston for his instruction in music theory, organ, and piano, and particularly for entertaining church and concert audiences with his organ performances. From 1961 to 1965, Dr. Houston accepted additional duties as registrar and director of admissions.

In 1993, Dr. Houston received Graceland's Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1996, he became only the third person to ever surpass the 40-year mark as a member of Graceland's faculty. He retired after 49 years of teaching at Graceland. In addition to teaching, Dr. Houston served terms on the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Health Systems Agency.

Dr. Houston married his beloved wife Lois Ellen Britton at the Stone Church on June 24, 1956. They were the parents of a son and a daughter, Todd A. and TIffany M. Both Dr. Houston and Lois retired in 2005 and continued to live in Lamoni prior to moving to John Knox Village in 2010.

NOTE: Dr. Houston died at the age of 85 years on March 1, 2014, at Lee's Summitt, Missouri. Lois Ellen (Britton) Houston was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on November 13, 1933, and died at the age of 77years on July 24, 2011, Lee's Summit, Missouri. Dr. and Lois Houston were interred at Rose Hill, Lamoni, Iowa.

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 128, 134. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Pp. 417-18. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Dr. Oliver C. Houston's obituary

Rose Hill Cemetery transcription

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

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