Mr. Lonnie Jerome Houston, Sr. was born March 1, 1953, in Live Oak, Florida to the late Robert and Ruth Houston. He grew up in Tampa, Florida, Hyde Park area and was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County, and graduated from Howard W. Blake Sr. High School in 1970.  Lonnie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1976 from Florida State University. Before he began his teaching career, Lonnie worked at Thatcher Glass and Johnson Controls. Later he was employed by the Hillsborough County School System and after 23 years of service, he retired from Benito Middle School.

Lonnie was a committed and dedicated teacher who worked to get the best out of his students.  He was loved by his students and highly respected by his colleagues.  One of the greatest honors in his life was having the Benito Middle School's gymnasium named for him (The Lonnie Houston Gymnasium). Lonnie coached soccer for many years at Temple Terrace Recreation Center where he led his team to win the under-age 12 Florida Region 'C" youth competition. He loved soccer and enjoyed helping many inner-city children learn the game. Lonnie was beloved by many and was affectionately known as "Uncle Roni" by family, "Stone" by friends, and "Coach" by students.  He also loved to cook and was famous for his Bar-B-Que ribs and smoked chicken salad.

Lonnie accepted Christ at an early age while attending Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Hyde Park. He later became a faithful member of Word of His Grace Christian Fellowship, where he actively participated in numerous church activities.  He also volunteered with various community service activities such as the food bank, YMCA, NCBW Gourmet Gents, and the Cancer Walk-A-Thon.

The family and friends are asked to meet at the church Saturday for the service.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Houston; daughter, Lani Houston; sisters, Marva Brown and Mamie Ashby; brothers, Thomas Hills, George Washington, Ervin Washington, Sr., Willie Washington, and Robert Houston Jr.; niece, Glenda Jamison.

Lonnie leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Shirley Houston; sons, Darryl Houston (New Port Richey, FL) and Lonnie Houston II (Tampa, FL); daughter,  Trevita (Ron) Horton (Live Oak, FL); grandchildren, Tiyrenee (Jamaal) Riley-Dowdell, (Lake City, FL), Carter Houston and his mother, Donna Renaud (Riverview, FL) and Amina Houston (Tampa, FL); great-grandchildren, Taylin and Tycen Dowdell (Lake City, FL); caring and loyal Sister: Viola Archbold (Kenny) Tampa, FL; brothers, Lee (Ruby) Washington (Lithonia, GA), Alexander Pugh, (Tampa, FL), Jonathan (Jacqueline) Houston, (Jasper, FL); sisters-in-law, Karen Everett-Saab, Eartha Hills, Claudia Washington Gainer, (Tampa, FL), and Sanook Washington, (Live Oak, FL); godchildren, Noah and Jonah Allen, (Tampa, FL), Carlos Pinnace (Lompoc, CA), and Kashiff Talib-din (Zephyrhills, FL); uncle, Melvin Johnson (Tampa, FL); aunts, Bernice Bolden, Claretha Bolden, and Hannah Williams, (Tampa, FL); nieces, Akilah Graham-Allen, Jasmine Belton (Marlon), Chezne Coleman (Tim ), Kelli Delaughter (Cecil), Larissa Washington Coley, LeMonica Hakeem (Malik), LeTonya Waterman (Tyson), Valerie Washington, Jackie Washington, Tamera Washington, Kimberly Washington, Utonda Johnson, Valencia Washington, Waytonia Washington, Tiffany Houston, Yolanda Herring, Sherri Herring, Sherri Hall (Jimmy), Nikki Hills Brown (Will), Torya Lynn Hills; nephews, Francisco (Maria) Archbold, Kawri Brown (Katie), Craig Brown (Rebecca), Joshua Houston, Jonas Houston, Jeremiah Houston, Chat-Chi Udomporn, Bruce Jamison, Demetric Everett, Malawi Hills, Keno Hills, and Oscar Hills; loyal and devoted friends, Joe Butler, Bradford Sutton, Sam Kroll, Ruth Hall, Melva Brown, Theresa and Haywood Burrows, Vanessa Lester, Hope and Derrell Stewart, George Bunch; and a host of loving cousins, relatives, and many sorrowing friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.