Rest in Peace: Cecil Houston
Band leader at Jackson High School passed away this week.
Photos
Cecil Houston, the beloved band leader at Jackson High School, passed away this week.
The 36-year-old is survived by his wife and children.
"The 5th Quarter" — the Wake — will be held at Clark Atlanta University's Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center at the corner of James P. Brawley Dr. SW and Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard, on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.
The Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 4245 Cascade Road SW.
Mr. Houston, who left a legacy at Jackson and Clark Atlanta University is remembered as a dedicated and devoted person to his family, school and community.
Richard Williams, the Engineering & Early College Academy Leader at Jackson, told East Atlanta Patch that Houston was a "great person, loving husband and doting father."
He was equally as dedicated to the band, Williams said.
"He really came in and worked hard to rebuild the band program and really had it moving in a positive direction."
Mr. Houston also was part of the music life at Clark Atlanta Univiersity where he was percussion instructor.
He co-wrote "Phunk-a-Delic (Part 1)" with Aaron Bentley, which the Clark Atlantic University Drumline performed in the 2002 film "Drumline."
Please share your memories of Mr. Houston in the comments section below.
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Chuck Irving
9:07 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
One of my best friends, I will miss him so much. Rest in peace,"Vato". I love you
Péralte Paul
2:06 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts, Chuck. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
myla miller
5:10 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
My name is Myla Miller n i was one of his students a Maynard Jackson.I just want to say that I will truely miss him,his jokes,how he made me smile when no one else could. R.I.P MR. HOUSTON and i love u n ur family may god be with them.
cary nelson/coach dad
9:16 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
very sad. Such a Young man.
Lydia R. Williams
11:12 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Cecil Houston was an outstanding band director and mentor to the students of Maynard H. Jackson High School. He had an extraordinary gift of caring and devotion to his students. He was a devoted family man, who deeply loved his beautiful wife and children. We have lost a great man and colleague.
May God be with the family at this time.
Lydia R. Williams, Maynard H. Jackson High School Choral Director
brianna f
9:18 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
yes he was a good man and ima miss my band teacher
Marion Jackson
4:32 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
My granddaughter is in the Maynard Jackson band, and Mr Houston took such a small number of band members and made them sound as if they had 100 or more people in this band and the quality and clarity of the sound that came out of so few people just amazed me, this was a very talented young man, and he will be sadly missed.But to be absent from this earth is to be present with the Lord. Marion Jackson grandmother of Dayla Jackson
Jan Harper
4:32 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I worked with Cecil at DeKalb Alternative School. He was the sweetest soft-spoken man. Prayers for his wife and children.
Marissa Rucker
5:34 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Marissa Rucker OMG, OMG
I'm just assuming now this is why my Spirit was urging me to get on here today( Facebook). Eventhough its been a few days. Would have never thought, or even knew. OMG My prayers go out to his wife and kids, as well family. Such a Wonderful, Loving, Compassionate, Joyous person that i Loved to be around. Showed me soooooooo many things. Encouraged my heart. And I will Always be Proud to say that you were my "Band Director". Eventhough you had to leave us. I hated it. Too soon. And still too soon. I aspire to be the kind of Director that were to me. And I will never give up. And if i could be atleast half of what you were to us i would be "Grateful". One thought sticking with me @ this Moment: " To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late". And I'm shure that God has more Wonderful works for you. Your Legacy will Forever Live on. The only one that would flip your name from what it was to what he wanted it to be and was soooooooo funny. Lol. Never will know anyone else like this "MAN". Such a Lost. I Will Never FORGET you. "Crooked M" Lol,smh Much Much Love. MR.VATO
Marco Hull
10:30 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Mr. Houston really changed up the program at Clarke Central High. I really enjoyed the band, the flavor, and creativity he shared while his tenure in Athens. May GOD keep his family during this difficult time. My condolences!
Jesse Milner
1:51 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Cecil is like a brother to me..we worked together at Dekalb Alternative School and we were also connected by the band. From the first day I met him, we clicked..he is that kind of person..My condolences to Fantara and the boys...