John Houston,

John Duff Houston, Jr. (AKA "Zeke") age 91 of Manassas, Virginia, died Friday, July 25, 2008 at Prince William Hospital. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1917 to John Duff Houston, Sr. and Rosetta Moore Houston, John and his siblings (James and Sally) grew up in the Murrayhill section of Pittsburgh, where he attended Taylor Allderdice High School. John later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in History. Upon completing his studies, John first went to work for the "Railroads". Soon thereafter, his entrepreneurial spirits kicked in and he became owner/operator of his first Exxon gas station in Squirrel Hill, later adding Jeep Dealerships and Discount Merchandise Houses to his portfolio. Moreover, John served two years in the U.S. Army as Lt. Col., Director of Logistics, in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, and Naples, Italy, during World War II. John married Marie King Minnemeyer in 1952, having 3 sons, John, Henry and Timothy. In 1964, he moved his family to Manassas, VA, when he became President of Woodbridge Clay Products (Brick Company) in Manassas, VA. In 1991, John retired from B. M. Smith and Associates in Arlington, Virginia where he served as President and Principal Broker for approximately 20 years. John enjoyed spending the summers of his youth in Chatauqua Lake, New York, where he raced his Lightning Sailboat every Sunday and occasionally got in a round of golf. John was a dedicated family man and long-term member of the Manassas Rotary Club. In his later years, his favorite thing to do was to eat dinner at the City Tavern in Old Towne Manassas. A highly talented musician, John could often be found playing the accordion or piano with his "fourth son", Alfred (a 140 pound American Foxhound), standing by his side attempting to sing along with the music. John was also proud of his ability to summon Alfred using the pager on the cordless telephone! John is survived by his 3 sons John, Henry and Tim of Gainesville, Casaonova and Alexandria, Virginia, respectively, in addition to 2 grandsons Johnny and Michael, and 2 daughters in law, Jane and Doreen. He is also survived by John D. II, William A., Roberta and Jeannie Houston, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street in Manassas. Interment will be public at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of flowers or donations to the City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center, 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 in Memory of John Houston, Jr. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

John Houston,

May 5, 1917 - July 25, 2008