Georgia Wilderness Society
John Henry Houser, Jr.
December 28, 1945 - July 18, 2022
Perry, Georgia
In Memoriam
John Henry "Johnny" Houser, Jr., 76, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 18, 2022, from injuries sustained in a tragic bicycle accident. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church with a Reception immediately following the service. A private inurnment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 1207 Macon Road, Perry, Georgia 31069.
A lifelong resident of Perry, Johnny graduated from Perry High School in 1964. He began his college career at Emory University at Oxford and earned a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree from Georgia State University. He worked for many years with his father in the family business, Houser Construction, and learned the significance of a man's work ethic from his father's example, the value of a strong foundation, and the importance of everything working together for the good of the entity. John assumed the complete responsibilities of Houser Construction upon his father's retirement and continued building quality homes in and around Perry for over twenty years. He was a member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church who was actively involved and served in various capacities throughout the past forty-plus years. He was an Assistant Boy Scout Master under the direction of Joe Howell and Bobby
Tuggle. John was a dutiful son who loved his parents and sacrificed a great deal to care for them in their later years. Johnny was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed canoeing, riding his bike, hiking, and snow skiing, among other outdoor activities.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Houser, Sr., and Beverly Ann Matthews Houser; and a nephew, James Smith.
Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Charles Matt and LuAnne Houser of Prattville, Alabama; two nieces; Stephanie Pruitt (Jon Paul) and Katherine Smith; five great-nephews; a great-niece; and many cousins and other extended family members.
Published by The Telegraph on Jul. 24, 2022.
[I'm certain you'll introduce yourself, then say that this email is from Amy Delaplaine to Bonnie Gehling. Amy said she'd be honored for it to be read at the service. Both of them have given their permission to mention their names. Thanks, Terry! - mc]
"I’m in shock about John and still a bit in denial that he is gone. He was part of so many of my best outdoor experiences for almost 50 years—from GA State canoe school to our ski trip just this past winter. Many were GWS trips as well as others--bicycle trips, Thanksgiving canoe trips plus other canoe trips, the Okefenokee, Bull Sluice on the Chattooga, building and living in an igloo for 3 days in Yellowstone on a NOLS course, camping in the mountains with Nicki and Bud, a GWS backpack trip
when owls screamed in the middle of the night right overhead, canoe camping in south GA, ski trips to 10th Mountain Division huts in the Rockies, a gorgeous night ski on Roan Mountain when the snow sparkled in the moonlight, skiing on forest service roads that John discovered off of Mt Mitchell (one was 7 miles all downhill!). A few of the highlights! John was a master at researching and discovering good trips.
"You must have many memories, too, because you went on even more of those GWS trips. As one friend said, how fortunate we were to have had all those good times to make memories. That certainly helps, but it’s not much consolation. Hope you and John’s GWS friends continue to share many great adventures."
