(AURN News) — Tom Houck, a longtime civil rights activist and former aide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died at 79, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta.
Born in Massachusetts, Houck was expelled from high school for participating in the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. He moved to Atlanta at 19 and became one of the youngest members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s executive staff.
From 1966 until King’s assassination in 1968, he served as King’s driver and personal assistant. Houck was arrested during civil rights demonstrations and fought for prison desegregation, voting rights and anti-poverty initiatives.
He later worked on campaigns for Andrew Young, Maynard Jackson and John Lewis. Houck also became a radio host, television commentator and journalist.
In his later years, he led tours highlighting Atlanta’s civil rights history. The Atlanta City Council praised his contributions and announced plans to honor him with a moment of silence at its Nov. 2 meeting.
Rest in peace, Tom Houck.
