Dad's Funeral

I thought I would post some pictures of Dad's funeral. These are just a few! It was great to have all the family together, dad would have loved it!

We miss him everyday!

My dad's obituary

Florian David Houston
1927 – 2010


Florian David (FD) Houston passed away August 9th at the age of 82. He was born August 11, 1927 in Las Vegas, NV to David Edward and Nelda (Waite) Houston. The oldest of four children including: Ronald Houston (deceased), Sherry Hafen and Larvin Houston.
FD graduated from Virgin Valley High School and seminary in 1945 where he played football and lettered all four years. After high school he entered the Navy and served on the USS Astoria until the end of WWII and was released from active duty in August 1946.
After his discharge from the Navy he attended Utah State College where he supported himself as a fry cook. After attending college, he returned to Mesquite to work as a history teacher and coach at Virgin Valley High School. This is also the time when he rekindled his relationship with his high school sweetheart Betty Arlene (McKnight) Houston. They were married on April 30, 1948. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George temple on July 11, 1964. Together for 62 years they had five children: David Clark & Judy (Peterson) Houston, Debra Kay Houston (deceased), Lisa Michelle & Robert McIntyre, Pamela & George Browne and Darrin Florian & Yvonne (Steedon) Houston. They have 20 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
As a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints he served in numerous callings including: Elders quorum president, ward mission leader, high priest group leader, bishopric and temple ordnance worker at the St. George temple for 12 years.
FD was a successful entrepreneur owning several businesses in Las Vegas and St. George. After retiring from these businesses he quickly began his second career and was instrumental in the planning and development of Summit Mountain in Utah. He also served on the Beaver Dam volunteer fire department board of directors. His passions were his family, church and work where he devoted much of his time, talents and energy.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Littlefield Chapel. The viewing will be held on Friday, August 13th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and August 14th from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the Littlefield Chapel.

I want to write down my memories of the day dad passed away for my record.
We had several tender mercies from the Lord on the day my dad passed away. My dad's heart quit working in the emergency room, they shocked his heart and brought him back and then put him on dialysis. Dad said to the doctor he was having a heck of a time getting to his 83rd birthday (he was short 2 days). This gave my siblings and I all time to get to St. George and be with him. When we arrived at the hospital he had been on dialysis for 2 hours. His potassium was 7.5 the normal is 2. This is what caused his heart to stop. The dialysis pulled the potassium out of his blood.

When we arrived he was looking pretty good, we were all able to visit with him for about 1 1/2 hours. They asked us to leave while they put in a port for his medicine. My brothers David & Darrin gave my dad a blessing. My mom and sister Pam and myself were all gather around him during the blessing. We left his room after his blessing, while they put in his port.

It took about 15 minutes, we came back in and visited and loved and kiss our dad, told some funny stories and laughed. His nurse came in and said we need to leave again while they did a chest x-ray and took him off dialysis.

We went out into the waiting room for intense care, at this time we all called our families and told them dad was doing so much better and we expected him to get better again( he has rallied several times before).

We had been out for about 15 minutes when my dad's nurse came running out and told us to come quick he was dying!!! We ran into his room and he was slipping away, we told him we loved him and we would take care of our mother. We told him to look for our sister who died at 9 weeks, and his parents,( My sister Pam is always the funny one in our family, and she said remember dad look for your mom she is the one with BIG earrings on). He relaxed and went peacefully to the other side. We stayed with him for about 45 minutes, during this time the dialysis nurse was still putting all of her stuff away. She told us how she talked with him and how he told her about each one of his children, what we did, how many kids we had and grandchildren. He told her how proud he was of all of us and he loved each of us. Dad knew his time was short here on this earth,and he made sure we knew how he felt.What a blessing to know what he was saying to others shortly before he passed away. My mom told me she wondered if his spirit knew he was going, on Saturday he had his brother and sister along with their spouse come and have dinner with him and mom, they laughed and visited. All day Sunday every time my mom was close to him he insisted she give him a kiss. Losing my dad has been hard! It does not matter how old they are, or what a good life they had. You still never want them to go. I miss him and I am so glad he was my dad! He had a wonderful funeral, on Saturday August 14Th. There was about 450 people came to the funeral, and we had 140 for the family lunch afterwards. My dad loved pasta, our family friend who is a New York Italian. Made her famous spaghetti sauce another family friend made a small birthday cake for dad.

We also had lasagna and green salad. I am sure Dad was looking down and loving it! My dad died on 8-9-10 a day we will never forget! Dad always said his birthday was the happiest day of his mothers life, Grandma Nell was missing him and pulled him up to heaven so he would be with her on his birthday!

Bryce Canyon

We all loved the hiking and seeing the beautiful sights. We also found great cabins and a restaurant that makes great food! We stayed at Ted Canyon Indian Store, R.V. Park and Campground. Nothing fancy, but we stayed in the cabins there. We ate several times at Bryce Canyon Pines they have homemade Pie and Soup. It was a great trip!

Bryce Canyon

We went to Bryce Canyon after Circleville to take in the grandeur of one of God's creations. I am always taking the pictures, so you won't see me in them. We have Bruce, Rosemary & Bob, and Lindsey, Jesse & boys! We had such a great trip!

4th of July

We had such a great time in

Circleville for the 4th. When the kids were little we would go and spend time with Sheree and Corey and their kids. We love going! Sheree was my roommate in college and Bob and Corey are like brothers. Are kids get along great! We love the Fullmer family! Josh, Lisa and girls, Lindsey, Jesse & boys, Emily and Bruce and Rosemary came with us. We went horse back riding, 4 wheeling,fishing and visiting! The fireworks show was spectacular! Corey smoked some awesome chicken! We missed Heath he is serving a mission in Seattle Washington. Thanks Fullmer's for a great weekend!

Birthday's

We have had so many birthdays over the last few months, and I wanted to show you our family on their birthdays! Coleson's birthday April 28th, Joshua's birthday May 2. Graces Birthday May 7th. Emily's birthday July 1st. My Mom's birthday July 15th. Lauren's birthday July 19. Rosemary's birthday July 24th. We have more next month! It was great to be with family for their birthdays!

Happy 30 year Wedding Anniversary!

Today we celebrated 30 wonderful years together. It seems like just yesterday we were beginning this journey by being sealed in the St. George Temple. We have had our ups and downs but through it all we have been there for each other and our families. We look forward to many more wonderful years together no matter what they may bring. At this juncture in our lives we have been blessed with wonderful family that continues to grow. Our five grand kids keep us young at heart. Our lives are full.

Goodbye old Friend

For several months we have debated about what to do with Bear. She is 171/2 years old and has been with our family since she was 8 weeks old.

Over the last year she has lost her sight and hearing,she had a large tumor behind her right arm, and many other issues. We could see she was suffering, today we finally decided to end her suffering. My niece Melissa was her groomer, so she went with me to the Vets. Bear left this life peacefully and is now in Heaven running and playing! Our family will miss her!

Mom& Dad's 62nd Wedding Anniversary!

My parents had their 62 wedding anniversary on the 30th. We celebrated by bring dinner to them and sitting around visiting. It was great to get together as a family, we missed the one who could not be there. What a great couple they are, and what a great example they are to us.