Rickey Houston

RICKEY LOUIS HOUSTON SR. Ocean Park resident Rickey L. "Rick" Houston Sr., 59, died in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday September 21, 2011 following a valiant battle with cancer. The son of Richard and Frances (Barrios) Houston, he was born in Enumclaw, Washington on June 6, 1952. Rick grew up In Tacoma where he received his education and graduated from high school. After moving to the Long Beach area in 1983 he received his associate degree in police science from Clatsop Community College in Astoria. Rick was employed in law enforcement for the City of Long Beach, City of Raymond, City of Tokeland and the Pacific County Sheriff. At this time of his passing he was employed at the Naselle Youth Camp, a job he dearly loved. Rick was a man of many interests. He enjoyed (not in any particular order) drag races, art shows, casino visits, concerts, plays, symphonies and museums. A longtime amateur photographer, recently his artistic endeavors were focused on wood carving. Family was always a priority and he looked forward to family vacations and get-togethers, sitting in the lawn swing at home visiting with family and friends alike and watching the fish in the pond. His employment at the youth camp enabled him to interact with staff and youth alike, and there he made many friends and enjoyed many a cup of coffee. Rick was a member of the Peninsula Art Association. He and Wanda (Jenkins) were married in 1991. She survives residing at the family home in Ocean Park. Also surviving are children Dana Billington of Haskell, Texas, Robert and Tania Byrd of Long Beach, Tina Houston and James "Babe" Taylor of Scappoose, OR, Tara Ledbetter and Kim Trevino of Ocean Park, Rickey and Michelle Houston of Vancouver, WA; siblings Joe Houston of Ocean Park, Van Houston of Spokane, WA, Monty Houston of Sweet Home, OR, Peggy Paris of California and Rhonda Cox of Ocean Park, Dickie Cox of Ocean Park and Bobby Cox of Ocean Park. Also surviving are step-father and wife Ron and Nina Cox of Ocean Park; grandchildren Scott Wilson, Ashley Pendergraft, Brandon Wilson, Trevor Byrd and Dalton Byrd and Clara and Faith Richardson; two great-grandchildren; a special niece Carmon Jenkins; and other members of his extended family. he was preceded in death by his son Freddie Houston. Rick's life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 1, 2011, 1:00 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. Private inurnment will be at the Ilwaco Cemetery Columbarium. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.