John Houston Means

John Houston Means, 85, of Spurger passed away May 17, 2024 surrounded by family.

Born July 21, 1938, in Spurger, Texas to John Willie and Fay Anderson Means, he lived in Tyler County for many years.  John graduated from Spurger High School with honors.  He became a land surveyor and worked many years for Shine and Associates before starting his own surveying company retiring after 67 years of service.  He was a member of the Texas Land Surveyors Association and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Spurger, Texas.  He loved hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Willie Means and Fay Anderson Means; son, James C. Means; grandchildren, James Joshua Fielder, Jerry Frank Fielder, Ethel Aileen Mitchell, and Cicillia Means; brothers, Jerry Means and Pat Means.

He is survived by his loving wife, Emma Alvina Mott Means; children, Ethel Fay Rogers and husband, Curtis of Spurger, Nelda Powers and husband, David of Toledo Bend, John B. Means of Spurger and Thomas Means of Spurger; step-daughter, Sandra Lyrock and husband, Jimmy of Spurger; sister, Nancy Griffin and husband, Bobby of Woodville; brother, Neil Means and wife, Kay of Spurger; eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, three great, great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 3 pm at the Riley Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Robert McClelland and Brother Robert Moore officiating.  Burial will follow at the Turner Branch Cemetery in Spurger, Texas.  Visitation will be held Monday, May 20, 2024, from 6 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home.

In place of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at stjude.org.

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