John Houston Sample

John Houston Sample, 66, died Aug. 5, 2010, at his home in Dallas, Texas. He was born on Nov. 29, 1943, in El Dorado, Ark., of a pioneering Union County family, son of Uarda Rosamond Garrett Sample and Newton Houston Sample Jr. John Houston was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Garrett Sample; and his stepfather, Emmett Coley. John Houston was educated in the El Dorado public schools, Castle Heights Military Academy and at the University of Arkansas where he majored in Economics and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He served in the United States Air Force after which he began his career in Dallas real estate. He and his wife moved to El Dorado in 1982, where he was President of Security Oil Company, active in real estate development and served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank. He was a member and Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. In 2003, he retired and moved to Dallas, where he continued real estate investment and joined Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he again served as Elder. He devoted his life to his family, friends and his churches. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying bird hunting, fly‐fishing on the White River, flying his plane and riding his motorcycle. John Houston is survived by his wife, Cynthia Anne Croan Sample; his daughters and their families, Samantha Jane and Graham Boyd and their children, Daily and Kiran, and Sally Anne and Jeff Ward. He is also survived by three sisters, Rosamond Brown Banks (David), Carol Felton (Barry) and Cecilia Andon; and six nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. On Monday, Aug. 9th at 3 p.m., a service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on behalf of John Houston at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8200 Devonshire, Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Haiti Education Fund at First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado, Westminster Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.