Rev. James "T. Bear" A. Huston

Rev. James Allen “T. Bear” Huston, 63, of New Philadelphia, was called to his home in Heaven from Community Hospice House in New Philadelphia on Friday, August 1, 2014, after a lengthy illness. Born October 10, 1950 in Dennison, he was a son of the late Ernest Eugene and Dorothy Jean (Rose) Huston. Jim grew up in Dennison where he was a member of Grant Street United Methodist Church and a 1968 graduate of Claymont High School. He later earned an Associate Degree from Kent State University and a Certificate of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

On June 13, 1970, Jim married his high school sweetheart, the former Sally Evans, with whom he shared over 44 years of loving marriage. He is also survived by a son, Jim (Carolyn) Huston of Cartersville, Ga.; daughter, Nikki (Dan) Smallwood of Harrisville, O.; grandchildren: Michael (Stephanie) Zumbrunn, Austin Huston, Dallas Huston, Sarah (Steven) King, Tom Smallwood, and Tim Smallwood; great-grandchildren: Corrine, M.J., Kiana, and Kadence; brother, E. Edward (Patricia) Huston of New Philadelphia; sister, Cheryl (Darryl) Napier of Uhrichsville; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald E. Huston, and his parents-in-law, Robert and Evelyn Evans.

Rev. Jim devoted his life to loving and serving God and his brothers and sisters in Christ. He began his ministry by serving in his home church, Grant St. U.M.C. in Dennison, followed by: East Springfield Church of the Cross/Christ U.M.C., Sandyville/Asbury U.M.C., Pleasant Grove/Barton U.M.C., East Rochester/Bayard U.M.C., East Liverpool U.M.C., and finally, returning to Tuscarawas County, Newport U.M.C. and Midvale U.M.C. where he continued in service until his health prevented him in 2010. Throughout his career, he was a member of the East Ohio U.M.C. Conference. Prior to his call into ministry, he had enjoyed working for the state of Ohio on survey crews, and in his younger years, had been a PeeWee Football coach for the West Side Chargers and enjoyed playing Santa for the children in his community.

Services for Rev. Jim, officiated by his son, Rev. Jim Huston, and Pastor Bob Mathias, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, in the First U.M.C. of Uhrichsville. Interment will follow in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4, AND Tuesday, August 5. Those wishing to honor his memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.