George D “Corky” Houser, Jr.

George D “Corky” Houser, Jr., 69, beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather passed away after a long battle against cancer on October 16, 2022, in Kearney, Mo., surrounded by his wife and children. George was born October 25, 1952 to George, Sr. and Petra (Leon) Houser in Kansas City, Mo. He graduated from Vanhorn High School in 1970. He served in the United States Navy for eight years during which he qualified as a nuclear reactor operator and served on the USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) during the Vietnam Era. Following his honorable discharge, he briefly worked in Grandview as a police officer, then became an electrician. George finished top in his electrical apprenticeship. He later worked at General Motors and then retired from Ford in 2018.

He put himself through college, earning a B.S. at William Jewell College and an MBA from Rockhurst University. He earned a 4.0 in both and accomplished a life-long goal of successfully owning and operating his own business, Globe Electric for nearly 25 years. Education was so important. He accomplished all this while working full-time and being a full-time Dad and Husband. You could call him many things but lazy was not one of them.

His joy in life was his family. He is survived by his wife of almost 42 years, Susan (Vielbig) Houser. They married December 12, 1980 at Peace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Mo. They enjoyed traveling, their bible study group and any activity involving their children and grandchildren. He became a father in 1981 with the birth of Amanda. George then had two sons, George III (“Casey”) in 1983 and Johnathan in 1986. George relished being a Dad. He loved playing soldiers, GI Joes, Chess, Risk, and even Barbies—really anything his kids were interested in playing. He coached his sons’ baseball teams and helped his kids with school. It seemed like he was at every sporting event, concert, and ceremony involving his children. He was notorious for dropping in on his kids at school, ripping up poorly worded homework essays, requiring them to write book reports for “fun,” and presiding over the grease board to teach spelling and math. His kids always had the best (and most complicated) science fair projects. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trading on the stock market, and watching the Royals.

He is survived by Susan, Amanda (Matt) Vogelsberg, George III “Casey” (Jill) Houser, Johnathan (Jessica) Houser; his parents, George and Petra Houser; his sisters, Frances (Jesse) Rogers, Margaret Chandler, and Gayl Stockman; and his grandchildren who brought him unending joy, Jayden, Jaybrea, John “Jack,” Benjamin, George Calen, and Everleigh.

He is predeceased by his brother, James; brother-in laws, John, Bernie, and William; sister-in-law, Joann; nephew, Jay; and mother-in law, Leanora.

George was a humble servant of God. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 205 N. Forest Ave., Liberty, Mo. 64068.  A visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. will be held at St. Stephen on October 21, 2022.

Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.