Harold Hayes Houston, 81 yrs., of Denmark, Iowa died at 5:07 pm Sunday, October 10, 2010 at the Burlington Care Center, Burlington, Iowa. He was born November 19, 1928 in Denmark, Iowa, a son of Clyde and Elsie (Sheperd) Houston. On April 3, 1955, he married Elizabeth "Betty" Eckmeier at Donnellson, Iowa. She survives.
Harold graduated from Denmark Academy in 1946. He served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 having gone to Germany during the Korean War. While a Correctional Officer, he was known as "Sam" and worked for 17 years at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison and 20 years at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility. He also enjoyed farming.

He was a member of the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ. He enjoyed watching baseball and was hoping to see his Chicago Cubs make it to the World Series. He was especially talented at quoting sports trivia and enjoyed talking of his time in Germany.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Houston, of Denmark, Iowa; two sons, Kevin Houston, of Ankeny, Iowa and Michael Houston, of Chicago, Illinois; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Kenneth, Harley, and Clifford; and one daughter, Teresa Ann Houston.

The family will meet friends from 10:00 - 11:00 am Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Wednesday at the Barr Memorial Chapel, with Reverend Chad Savage, officiating. Burial will at the Denmark Cemetery, Denmark, Iowa. Full military rites will be conducted at graveside. A memorial has been established for the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ and Great River Hospice, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.