Mr. Mark Howard Houser, age 66, of Livingston, passed away from the comforts of his home on Thursday, July 31, 2025. A Celebration of Life for Mr. Mark Houser will be conducted on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 7 p.m. at Bilbrey's Crossing. Family will welcome friends on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 4 p.m. until time of service.

Mark Houser was born in Detroit, MI, on November 14, 1958, to John and Anna (Webb) Houser. He spent his early years in Maryville, TN, before graduating from Livingston Academy in the Class of 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Tech University in 1980.

Mark devoted over 37 years to the Tennessee Department of Health following two years as a high school teacher. He served as the Upper Cumberland Regional Manager for Environmental Health for over two decades. He was an advisor on the Environmental Health Advisory Committee at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), frequently lecturing at the university. In 2009, he founded the Tennessee Environmental Hall of Fame, which is housed at ETSU, and was inducted into it in 2014. His accolades include the Lynn B. Hearn Award as Tennessee Environmentalist of the Year in 2008. He also served as a three-time president of the Tennessee Environmental Health Association, vice president of the Tennessee Public Health Association, and was a member of the National Environmental Accreditation Council from 2016 to 2022.

As a singer-songwriter, Mark Houser made a significant mark on the bluegrass and gospel music scene. His 2012 debut album Mark Houser & Bluegrass Drive: Uneven Road reached #9 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and included three charting singles—among them the #1 bluegrass gospel song Lead Me Home, featuring Rhonda Vincent. He wrote over 150 songs recorded by a wide range of artists, including the 2007 Sirius Radio #1 bluegrass song Seven Miles From Wichita by Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain. His song Red, White and Blue Christmas was performed to a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry by Jack Greene in 2003.

His songwriting credits include works recorded by Little River Band, Rodney Atkins, T. Graham Brown, John Berry, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Anthony Krizan of the Spin Doctors, Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply, and Rhonda Vincent, among others.

In 2025, The Gospel According to Mark by Mark D. Conklin—featuring five songs penned by Houser—was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album. His own album Gospel Train produced a #1 bluegrass gospel title track in February 2025, followed by Numbers on a Stone (#8) and Jesus Sweet Jesus (#3). Mark was a voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammys), Gospel Music Association (Dove Awards), and formerly of the Country Music Association (CMA) and International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).

A proud Livingston Academy Wildcat, Mark was a three-year starter on the football team and served as captain of the 1975 team. His love for football extended into coaching, beginning in 1980 at White County High School. He went on to coach in five decades across four Upper Cumberland high schools—White County, Jackson County, Clay County, and Livingston Academy (where he coached three times, most recently on his son’s staff).

He founded the Overton County Outlaws youth football program in 1990, coaching the first three seasons and compiling a remarkable 37-2 record over his final two years, winning league championships at both junior and senior levels. His football head coaching record stood at 45-13.

Mark also coached baseball at Livingston Academy and Rickman High School and led several Babe Ruth League championship teams in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, and 1994.

In 2025, he was inducted into the Livingston Academy Alumni Hall of Fame.

Mark was baptized on May 16, 1971, and in his twenties, led singing at many churches of Christ gospel meetings. In the later years of his life, he committed himself to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He began preaching at Morrison Creek Church of Christ in Jackson County in 2017 and began serving Dudney’s Hill Church of Christ in 2021. He frequently spoke at DeRossett Church of Christ in White County and at various other area congregations.

He is survived by his children:

Son, Matthan Houser, and his wife Stephanie

Daughter, Hannah Houser McDermott, and her husband Noah

Grandchildren:

Mattison Blaise Houser

Huttson Drayke Houser

Jett Warren Houser

Other family members include his sister Patty Houser Smith, nephew Brandon Smith, and niece Airica Puckett.

He is also survived by Tena Rogers, who, in his own words, was his “much loved and trusted companion” and whom he would have been proud to make his wife, had his interpretation of biblical scripture allowed it. Her two sons, Jared Rogers and Christian Callaway, also survive him.

Mark Houser’s enduring wish was that everyone would find Jesus Christ during their short time on this earth.