Houston Samuel "Tex" Powell, 97, died December 12, 2023, following a short illness in Holly Hill, Florida.

Houston was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Tallassee, Alabama. He graduated from Southern Industrial Institute in Camp Hill, Alabama, then served in the Merchant Marines during WW II from 1944 until 1946. He married Concetta Castellano in Brooklyn, NY, who preceded him in death in 1983. His second wife Rose Karl Powell also preceded him in death in 2005.

Houston is survived by two children Anthony Powell and Stephanie Schmitter and their spouses, Bonnie and Ronald; two grandchildren Joshua Schmitter and his spouse Kristin, Jeremy Schmitter and his partner Cara, and one great granddaughter Persephone Schmitter; a stepdaughter Mary Gottman, step granddaughter Elizabeth Hanrahan, spouse Craig and their two children.

Houston was a resident of Merrick, NY since 1951 and retired from a career in data processing from the King Kullen grocery chain in 1988. A long-time Mason, he was devoted to the organization and held several prominent posts over 60 plus years. He loved to read, smoke his pipe, watch old time Western movies, and enjoyed trips to play the one-armed bandits in Atlantic City and Tampa. He was a nine-year resident of Ormond Beach and Holly Hill, Florida, and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Alabama "Tide".

Houston will be interred at a later date with his first wife Concetta in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY.