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Rest in Peace: Cecil Houston

Band leader at Jackson High School passed away this week.

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.

SEE ALSO:

  • 'He Made Me Proud to be Part of the Marching Jags Family'
  • The Jackson High School Marching Jags' Creed
Chuck Irving January 2, 2013 at 02:07 am
One of my best friends, I will miss him so much. Rest in peace,"Vato". I love you
Péralte Paul (Editor) January 2, 2013 at 07:06 pm
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts, Chuck. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
myla miller January 2, 2013 at 10:03 pm
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 January 3, 2013 at 11:51 am
very sad. Such a Young man.
Lydia R. Williams January 3, 2013 at 03:55 pm
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
Marion Jackson January 3, 2013 at 08:36 pm
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 January 3, 2013 at 09:13 pm
I worked with Cecil at DeKalb Alternative School. He was the sweetest soft-spoken man. Prayers for his wife and children.
Marissa Rucker January 5, 2013 at 10:19 pm
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 January 7, 2013 at 03:22 am
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 January 8, 2013 at 06:44 pm
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...
brianna f January 11, 2013 at 12:09 am
yes he was a good man and ima miss my band teacher

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Melissa Angle June 14, 2013 at 02:42 pm
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If you leave dirty laundry around the outside of your home she may be able to pick up your sent. ItRead More worked with a friend of mine.
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This is a sales pitch, and not a very good one. This development is well over 2 miles from GrantRead More Park; even the map on the developer's site doesn't correctly show where the subdivision is. And where it is, is across Glenwood from Burgess-Peterson ES, where Glenwood is 4 lanes- good luck ever making a left out of there. But if you want to be able to hear I-20, I guess it's a great location.