April 17, 1930 – May 15, 2011
Dale LaDoit Houston was born April 17, 1930 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Evelyn and LaDoit Houston. He passed away May 15, 2011 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 81 from heart problems - the same heart that was the foundation of a loving, caring man. He moved to Oregon in his early teens with his mother and brother.
Dale was a kind man, a good man, a great friend, a loving father, grandfather and husband. He didn’t ask a lot out of life – just for the love and caring he received not only from his loving wife, JoAnn, but that which his family heaped on him. He deserved it and much more.
Dale joined the Army National Guard in April 1947 and entered into active duty service December 15, 1948 in the Army Air Corp – now known as the United States Air Force. He went from boot camp at Shepherd AFB in Texas to Camp Gordon, Georgia for advanced training as an Air Policeman. He was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington from May 1949 to June 1954. He also served some time at Koyoto, Japan during the Korean War. He was then transferred to Bentwaters AFB, England until being stationed at Amerillo AFB, Texas. In 1958, he moved to the air base in Portland, Oregon where he was until being transferred to Condon Air Force Station in 1962. He served a year of duty at Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam from 1965-1966 where he received the Air Force Commendation medal. In 1966, Dale was assigned to Hahn AFB in Germany. He also had a duty assignment in Libya during the Middle East War in 1967. He retired from active duty on July 1, 1970. He always looked so smart in his uniform with the heavily creased blouse and his honest to goodness spit-shined boots. Dale was extremely proud to have had the honor of serving our country for over 23 years and his family is so proud of him for his service.
Upon retiring from the USAF, Dale moved his family back to Condon where he chose to make his home for the past 41 years. He worked as a member of the Gilliam County road crew for 23 years before retiring.
Dale was very much a part of the community of Condon and volunteered for many fundraisers and activities. He was an active member of the Condon Elks Lodge and served as the Exalted Ruler from 1988-89. Being an Elk member was a large part of his life; for over 20 years he entertained many of us by calling BINGO at the club. He was a volunteer fireman for many years in Condon and enjoyed helping with the fireworks during the 4th of July celebrations. Dale was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. One of Dale’s most special “town duties” was playing the role of Santa Claus for the children of Condon for nearly 20 years. He had that natural twinkle in his blue eyes and didn’t need a pillow to complete his costume! He absolutely enjoyed his part in making the kids happy and looked forward to it each year.
Dale loved telling a good joke or a story. He was known to wear a grass skirt, a kilt, or a silly wig just to make others laugh. He thoroughly enjoyed getting together with others and the various fun trips that he took with other Condonites over the many years.
Dale was married in 1951 to his first wife, Opal Pendleton, until her early death in 1956. Dale and Amy Kane were married in Scotland in June 1957. They were married for 43 years until, after a long illness, she passed away in Condon in January 2001. In March 2002, Dale married JoAnn Anderson. They enjoyed their nine years together traveling and sharing their families.
Dale’s five children are sons Terry Houston (Sandy) and Dale G. Houston (Depot Bay), daughters and sons-in-law Deby and Roger Moore (Hydesville, CA), Jill and Chuck Muilenburg (Burns), and daughter Susan Edney (Greenville, CA). He also had three step-children: Sharon Karwowski (Portland), Bill Anderson (Trout Lake, WA), and Randy Anderson (Lebanon). He had 9 grandkids, 3 great-grandkids, 13 step-grandkids and 14 step-great grandkids. Dale loved all his kids and couldn’t be happier than when being surrounded by them.
Dale’s extended family includes his two step-sisters, Donna Gamble (Toppenish, WA) and Lois Jones (Nehalem); a sister-in-law Barbara Tennent (Sutherlin); a nephew, Brian Houston (Sisters) and a niece, Rhonda Moore (Oregon City). He was preceded in death by his wife Opal and his wife Amy, his mother Evelyn, father LaDoit, step-father Everett , his brother Duaine, grandson Phillip and niece Wendy.
Dale was proud to call Condon home and loved all the friends he had there. He had a smile for everyone. He loved his family and he will be loved and missed forever.
Memorial contributions may be made to Condon Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 385, Condon, OR 97823 or to the Condon Elks Lodge Building Fund, P.O. Box 123, Condon, OR 97823.
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