Maurice DeWayne Houze September 16, 1936 - April 3, 2009 Age: 72 Odessa, Texas

Maurice DeWayne Houze, 72, of Odessa, Texas, went home to be with his Lord on Friday morning, April 3^rd, 2009. 

He worked for 15 years with H & S Valve until he retired in 2003.  He currently worked part time at Sage Wellness Center and this truly was his joy...to serve. 

He was born in Sardinia, Indiana to Herbert and Lucille (Ford) Houze on September 16, 1936.  He graduated from Jackson Township High School in 1954.  During his senior year, he met and fell in love with Sandra Foster.  They were married February 14, 1955.  They walked hand in hand together for 54 years and they were still holding hands when he went home. 

He walked his faith daily.  He leaves behind more friends than can possibly be numbered.  He loved each one. 

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Kim Houze of Columbus, Indiana, daughter and son-in-law, Mary Kay and Steve Barnes of Plains, Texas, and son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Robin Houze of Columbus, Indiana.  He was their father, mentor, and friend. 

His joy was his grandchildren:  Cheri Lujan and her husband Josh, Jared Houze and his wife Erica, Chris Gscheidle and his wife Megan, Jake Houze, and Brady, Cassidy, Carson, and Landon Houze.  And just to make his joy complete he had five great-grandsons:  Nathanul, Victor, and Alezae Lujan, Ethan Gscheidle, and the precious new one, Simon Houze. 

He taught his children and grandchildren by his example.  He showed what it meant to walk with the Lord, how to laugh, forgive, a good work ethic, and what unconditional love really means. 

He leaves behind his beloved sisters:  Marilyn Trosky and her husband, David of North Vernon, Indiana, and Jerilyn Manlief and her husband, Carl of Westport, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews, remembered and loved by their uncle. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and by 1 brother, Dwight Eugene Houze. 

Visitation will be Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Sardinia Baptist Church from 11 am to 1 pm.  Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm Saturday, April 11, 2009 with Rev. Tom Long officiating.  Burial will be at the Westport Cemetery.   

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sardinia Baptist Church or the Terrace Lake Community Church through the Bass & Gasper Funeral Home.  

Services are entrusted to Bass & Gasper Funeral Home in Westport, Indiana and Acres West Funeral Chapel in Odessa, Texas.
 

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