James Lawrence “Jim” Houser, age 92, passed away on January 19, 2026.

James Lawrence “Jim” Houser, age 92, of Monett, Missouri passed away Monday, January 19, 2026 at his home. 

He was born on October 19, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the third of four sons born to Myra and Delbert Henry Houser, and probably the one who got into the most trouble along with his brother, Don. 

The family moved to Mesquite, Texas. Jim attended Mesquite High School, where he always said, “I was active in high school activities, mostly sports, as well as some that should have carried a heavier penalty than I received.” Baylor University was the next step in his education, and during this time his friend set him up on a blind date with Molly Alice Rogers. They were married on August 28, 1953, and were married 67 years when Molly passed away in November of 2020. More schooling followed Baylor at Golden Gate Seminary in California where Jim received a master’s in counseling. More schooling followed Golden Gate Seminary at the University of Utah on a National Science Foundation grant, which resulted in another degree. Jim also attained a Master of Education from Texas Wesleyan University in 1959. After moving back to Texas, Jim and Molly attended a church service where they heard a missionary speak about their work in East Africa. They were both, separately, convinced that this was what God wanted them to do with their lives. They set sail on the Queen Mary from New York in 1965 with four of their five children arriving a week later in Southampton, England. From there, they flew on BOAC or East African Airways down to Nairobi, Kenya. Jim and Molly served in many towns in Kenya and Tanzania, including Kisumu, Kenya where their last child was born. Jim and Molly left Africa in 1993 but continued to be involved in missions at the church and county level in Texas. During these post-Africa years, Jim was hired by Baylor University to teach Swahili, which he did for about 18 years. After Molly’s death in 2020, Jim moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to live with his daughter and son-in-law for three and a half years. 

In July of 2025 he moved to Missouri where he married Carol Ann (Wallace) Brubeck, she herself was a former missionary to Tanzania. Molly and Jim were stationed in Mwanza, Tanzania during the time that Carol’s first husband Roger Brubeck and she were there. Molly was a dear friend to Carol, as was Jim to Roger. They worked together alongside Don and Mary Alice Dolifka on the Sukuma Project. Thousands of people will be in Heaven because of their love for and obedience to our Lord and Savior. Jim told Carol that those four years were the highlight of his missionary career. 

Carol and Roger’s children knew them as Aunt Molly and Uncle Jim. What precious memories! “Never would I have imagined that the Lord would give me the privilege of being Jim’s wife, knowing him this past year has been a joy that can have only been a gift from God.” After 45 years, a kind text to Carol on Roger’s birthday started the opening of that surprise gift. “Thank you, Lord, you are so kind and merciful! Jim was a good man. He was deliberate in his living. An astute man. A loving man. A reflection of Jesus Christ as we should all be.” 
WELL DONE, FAITHFUL SERVANT!

Jim was especially passionate about two things: Africa and preaching. He enjoyed at least ten return trips to Africa after he left in 1993. He loved the wildlife and could spend HOURS taking pictures of every angle of an elephant’s trunk! He loved the people and they taught him so many things about life. His love of preaching seemed to deepen as he grew older. I believe it truly brought life to him to study God’s Word and communicate it to others, and he had so many opportunities to do that.

Surviving are his wife, Carol; five children, Stacy (Tami) Houser, Mona (Dave) Entwistle, Bryan Houser, Scott (Ana) Houser, and Bill (Lisa) Houser; stepchildren, Dan (Angela) Brubeck, Clint (Ruth) Brubeck, Jessica Eisenhauer, Linda Brubeck, Maria Brubeck, and Mario Brubeck; three brothers, Charles, Don, and Paul Houser; 18 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren. 

Preceding him in death were his parents and first wife, Molly Alice Rogers. Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

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FOHN FUNERAL HOME
Cassville, Missouri
417-847-2141