The Reverend Richard Gray Houston, Sr., a campus minister for more than thirty years, devoted his life to serving God and ministering to college students. According to his wife, Dorothy Middleton Houston, Dick, as he was fondly known, was a uniquely dedicated Baptist Student Union director with great interest in technology that could enhance leadership skills of students.

Dick Houston, 88 of Marietta, Georgia, died October 21, 2020. He was a loving son, husband, and father as well as a protective "brother" to many who knew they could bring their problems to him and receive counseling.

A native of Virginia and graduate from Towson High School in Maryland, Dick received his BA, MA and Specialist degrees from the University of Georgia and his Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He was ordained by the First Baptist Church, Athens, Georgia in 1955 and pastored the Cave Spring, Bogart and Lebanon Baptist Churches and the Coiles Grove Baptist Mission. He served in the Coast Guard from 1951-1954. He was Dean of Men at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, Georgia for two years, 1966-1968.

During his lifetime Dick served in the Civil Air Patrol and was a licensed pilot. He also developed Bible Phone, an early version of communication for the deaf in Atlanta. Dick was a committed reader who found challenge in cutting-edge theories. Following his retirement, Dick served as a Certified Legal Video Specialist and, for a decade, taught computer classes for Cobb Senior Services. In addition, his leadership with the WMU Foundation established a BSU Advancement Fund for sustaining support of Emerging Collegiate Ministries.

He also enjoyed raising tropical fish and growing indoor flowers like gloxinias. He was an award-winning breeder of wild bettas through the International Betta Congress. Most recently Dick formed a Chess Club and taught chess to other residents of Atherton Place in Marietta.

Services will be held Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Marietta Funeral Home Chapel, 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA 30066 (near the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont Road). Officiating will be Dr.  Don Mason, long-time friend and missionary. Reverend Tom Waggoner and Dr. John Riley, two of Dick's former Georgia State University BSU leaders, will also contribute. A private graveside service will follow at the Sandy Plains Baptist Church cemetery, 2875 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, Georgia.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years Dorothy Middleton Houston, Daughters Jean Shore (Doug) and Ann O'Dea (Padraig), Sons Richard Houston and Sandy Houston (Erica), Brother Herb Houston (Theresa), cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by countless college students who have benefited from his wisdom and counsel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions to continue student outreach be made through the Onesimus Foundation, c/o Baptist Collegiate Ministries, 125 Edgewood Avenue, S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

The family will receive friends from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at the Marietta Funeral Home, Marietta Georgia.