Floyd Bryan Houck, age 81, of 929 Ramsgate Dr., in Gastonia died peacefully at home on November 16, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Lyn, to whom he was married for 59 years. He also is survived by two daughters, Suzanne H. Johnson and husband Danny Johnson of Charlotte, and their children, Dr. Anna B. Johnson and Bryan D. Johnson; and Laura B. Houck of Gastonia and her children, Owen Levy and Meredith Levy. Bryan was born in Ashe County, North Carolina to James and Vetra Houck. He was a cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University and served in the US Army counterintelligence corps. He joined Southern Bell/BellSouth as a management trainee, and spent 37 years with the company where he held several leadership positions, including District Manager in Gastonia and the company's top public affairs executive for North Carolina. Bryan was very active in civic affairs. He was president of the Gaston Chamber of Commerce, and served eight years on Appalachian State's board of trustees, including one term as its chairman. He served many years on the board of directors of the NC Sports Hall of Fame. He and Lyn established an education scholarship fund at Appalachian State University and supported conservation efforts throughout North Carolina. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Gastonia. Bryan was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Gaston Country Club and Grandfather Golf and Country Club. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bryan and Lyn Houck Endowed Scholarship for Education Fund (#94518), Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32007, Boone, NC 28608 or the Grandfather Home for Children, P.O. Box 98, Banner Elk, NC 28604. Funeral arrangements are private.