EMMETT MARCUS HOUSE
1921-2017
Emmett Marcus House entered into eternal rest on August 12, 2017 following pneumonia complications and a failing heart. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a faithful friend to all. He was kind and gentle and loved people, never meeting a stranger. He was extremely intelligent, talented in numerous ways and could find a solution to nearly all problems. Marcus was born in Buffalo, Texas on July 20, 1921 to parents, Wilmer and Corrie House, moving to Houston as a toddler, attending Houston Schools, graduating from Milby High School and earning his college degree from The University of Houston following service in the military. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at age eighteen, serving his country with distinction as a fighter pilot, trainer of other pilots and achieving the rank of captain. He served in World War II and again during the Korean Conflict. His great love was flying and getting to fly the different aircraft of that period. He worked for many years at Great Southern Life Insurance Company, beginning as office boy and retiring as Executive Vice President. Following this retirement he worked for three additional years at American National Life Insurance Company in Galveston, Texas as Senior Vice President in the group life insurance area. He served for many happy years on the Board of Directors of New Era Life Insurance Companies and was a member of Rotary International and committees thereof. Marcus was an avid golfer playing many years at River Bend Country Club and then at Brae Burn Country Club until his death. In his golfing years he shot four holes in one. He was a member of Westminster United Methodist Church for approximately fifty years, joining Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in 2007 and attending the Bridgebuilders adult Sunday School Class and enjoying Bible study on Wednesday evenings.
Marcus was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Geraldine W. House; daughter, Kathleen H. Sims; sisters, Adena Carson and Juanita Best; brother, Rev. Clarence House; and step-daughter, Dr. Suzanne Cox Reedstrom. He is survived by his wife, Betty P. House; son, Mark W. House and wife, Sandra; stepdaughter, Melissa C. Macklin; step son-in-law, Charles D. Reedstrom; grandchildren, Laura H. Mabon and husband, David, Mark W. House Jr. and wife, Rosalyn, Keri S. Garcia and husband, Emelio, Sean E. Sims and Andrew M . Rydzak; eight greatgrandchildren, Ashlyn, Aiden, Austin and Addison Garcia, Emily and Ben Mabon, and Caroline and Lily House; step-grandsons, Richard Reedstrom, Kirk Reedstrom and wife, Sarah.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Marcus House will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, with Senior Minister John C. Robbins officiating. The family will gather for a private internment.
Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Dr. UMC, MD Anderson Cancer Center for ovarian cancer research, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn. headquartered currently in Washington DC, or to a charity of your own choosing.