Hal E. Houston

Hal E. Houston, M. D., of Murray, Ky., died Thursday, July 15, at 11:20 a.m. at his home. He was 72.
He is survived by his wife, Tara McAllister Houston, and four children: Adelaide Eubanks Houston of Murray, Rebecca Houston Oline of Lake Forest, Ill.; Hugh L. Houston, M. D., of Nashville and Greer Houston Monin of Atlanta.
Also surviving are two sisters, Gail Pappas of Denver and Greer Houston of Nashville and nine grandchildren, Jane H. Oline, Matthew A. Oline, Edward R. Oline, John A. Monin, James E. Monin, Margaret D. Monin, Charles C. Monin, Hill G. Houston, and Reid S. Houston.
Preceding him in death was his father Hal E. Houston, M. D., and his mother Adelaide Eubanks Houston. Also, his uncle, Hugh L. Houston, M. D. and his aunt, Hontas Kelly Houston, preceded him in death.
Dr. Houston received a bachelor of arts from Murray State College, where he graduated in three years with high distinction and was named the Outstanding Senior Man.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville, where he was selected into the Alpha Omega Alpha scholastic fraternity for highest academic achievement.
His internship was served at the University of Washington in Seattle and his surgical residency was the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. At the Mayo Clinic he received a master’s degree in surgery, served as Chief Surgical Resident and received the Association of Mayo Fellows Award.
Dr. Houston practiced general surgery in Murray for 42 years. His career as physician encompassed many related endeavors. He served for 41 years as a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, achieving the rank of colonel and receiving numerous awards of distinction.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he served as team physician for Murray State University for 36 years. He also served as team physician for Calloway County High School and Murray High School for many years.
For his service to Murray State University, he was inducted into the Murray State University Athletic Hall of Fame and awarded the Murray State University Alumni Association Golden Horseshoe Award. The Murray State University Department of Biology named him as its first Outstanding Biology Alumnus.
A gifted teacher, he was a preceptor for the surgery departments of the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, the University of Alabama and the University of Texas. He was advisor and academic instructor for the pre-med program at Murray State University for more than 40 years.
For 15 years he served as a member of the faculty at Vanderbilt University, teaching Advance Trauma Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. He also served as course director for Advanced Cardiac Life Support at the University of Tennessee Critical Care Center in Nashville.
While in college, Dr. Houston was the moving force in bringing national fraternities to (then) Murray State College. He was a founding member of Pi Kappa Alpha and served as leader and advisor for his fraternity until his death.
Dr. Houston served on the board of directors of the Murray Civic Music Association for more than 30 years, was a member of the Murray Lions Club for 20 years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Murray.
Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Murray Sunday July 18 at 3 p.m. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday July 17.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be given to the Murray State University Athletic Department, attn. Athletic Trainer Fund, 217 Stewart Stadium, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071; the Hal E. Houston Pi Kappa Alpha Lodge Fund, attn. Mike Pierce, P.O. Box 527, Murray, KY 42071; and the First United Methodist Church of Murray, attn. Hal E. Houston Mission Fund, 503 Maple Street, Murray, KY 42071.