Robert Houlette

Kenneth Robert Houlette, 73, of Dumas, passed away on Tuesday May 29, 2018, in the care of Dumas Memorial Hospice. The memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at First Baptist Church with Vaughn Tatum, officiating. Rev. Jerry Howe and Dr. Howard Batson will be assisting. Arrangements are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors. Robert was born in Clovis, New Mexico on May 15, 1945 to Kenneth and Ann Houlette. He was raised in Friona before moving to Dumas in 1960 where he was a member of the 1961 and 1962 Dumas Demon State Champion Football teams. Robert also competed at the Texas State Track Meet in 1963. He then went on to play football and run track at Panhandle A&M in Goodwell, OK where he received his Bachelor's degree in Education. Robert married Deana Callihan in Springfield, Colorado on November 6, 1965. They moved to Dumas in 1967 where they raised their family. Robert retired from Mission Petroleum in 2012. Robert is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Wilbur Moore. He is survived by his wife Deana of Dumas; three children, Rex Houlette of Dumas, Deedra Lambert and husband Robby of Amarillo, and Dalea Tatum and husband Chris of Amarillo; two sisters, Lawana Moore of Amarillo and Joyce Houlette of Houston; and four grandsons, Delton Tatum and wife Jordan of Dallas, Tyler Lambert and wife Katrina, of Amarillo, Max Tatum and wife Haylee of Ft. Worth, and Jake Lambert of Amarillo. Robert was an avid golfer and could be seen many days at the coffee shop. He was passionate about donating blood at the Coffee Memorial Blood Center in Amarillo where he gave hundreds of units of blood that were typically used in pediatric transfusions. His love for his family was fierce, but his pride and joy were his grandsons. His job as PaPa was what he was most proud of. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Memorial Hospice, 224 E 2nd, Dumas TX 79029.