2021 Commerce for web | Page 48

Hall of Fame
AWARDS

Hall of Fame

Kent & Barbara Houck

Kent & Barbara Houck married on May 31,1963 , in Pauls Valley , Okla . They love Stillwater and serving their family , community , their church and Oklahoma State University . Both come with a long list of accomplishments .
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COMMERCE | 2021 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce

Kent graduated with a bachelor ’ s degree in finance with an insurance and marketing option from OSU in 1965 . He was the OSU Insurance Fraternity president , a member of Flying Aggies and in the Air Force Reserve Officers ’ Training Corps .

Kent has a love for sports , especially OSU athletics . He officiated Big 8 football for 20 years , worked 17 bowl games , two of which were national championships — the 1978 Cotton Bowl and the 1983 Sugar Bowl .
He has numerous insurance industry awards , including Chairman ’ s Council several times – the highest achievement award in the industry . He was selected twice to the Agents ’ Advisory Council from his peers by representing the industry in development of innovative new products .
Kent has served on many boards throughout the years including Stillwater Airport Authority as president , Stillwater Medical Center and OSU Athletic Council . He is currently on the Payne County Youth Services board and received the Outstanding Volunteers award .
Kent & Barbara are active members of the Stillwater Church of Christ . Kent has been involved in many leadership roles such as a bible class teacher , youth minister , education director , deacon and an elder . Barbara has been a bible class teacher and involved in ladies ministries . She helps with youth camp , ladies ’ retreats and conferences throughout Oklahoma , the U . S . and the Caribbean Islands .
Barbara graduated from OSU with a bachelor ’ s ( 1964 ) degree and master ’ s ( 1972 ) degree in business education . She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Scholastic Society and Pi Omega Pi
Business Fraternity past president . Her professional career consists of teaching at the OSU College of Business for eight years and selling real estate for more than 35 years in Stillwater .
She was one of the Oklahoma 4-H Alumni Hall of Fame recipients for outstanding accomplishments in Garvin county and Payne county . She is a member of the Stillwater Community Singers , and
Kent has emceed the program for many years .
Barbara served on the Stillwater Parks and Recreation board and Stillwater Life Services board .
Kent and Barbara both served on the Oklahoma State Alumni Association board for two terms .
They enjoy working with youth at their church ; helping with 4-H activities , fundraising and scholarships ; and Little League boys ’ baseball and girls ’ softball and basketball . Houck Agency has sponsored Little
League sports teams for more than 50 years . Kent has directed youth summer camps for 55 years .
Houck Agency is a member of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and was chosen as Stillwater ’ s Outstanding Small Business of the Year in 2015 . The agency has been involved in the Stillwater community since Kent ’ s dad , Merlyn , opened Houck Agency September 1,1951 , more than 69 years ago .
Kent & Barbara are parents of two daughters and their husbands , and grandparents to five grandchildren and one great-grandson .