Jack Allen Houston, beloved Dad and Grandpa passed away peacefully at age 99 on February 25^th, 2018, at home as he wanted surrounded by his family and his beloved cat BJ. 

Jack always had a positive attitude, a wonderful sense of humor and was very much loved.  He lived a full and happy life, he will be greatly missed. 

Jack was born on September 28, 1918 in Picher, Ok to Joseph Anthony and Nancy E. Allen Houston.  Jack’s Mom passed away when he was five. His Pop single handedly raised Jack and his younger brothers Barney and Mack.  The Houston family moved frequently - going wherever work could be found - eventually migrating to the southwestern states where Jack and his brothers attended various schools and worked in the crop fields and orchards to earn a living.  They eventually migrated to Toppenish, WA and settled there in 1934.

Jack attended Toppenish High School then took a leave from school in 1936 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 6 months; he was stationed at Camp Gold Creek in the Methow River Valley, WA.  He went back to school in 1937 and graduated in 1938.

Jack moved to Seattle in 1940 and attended Wilson’s Modern Business College, then took a job working at the Seattle Hardware Co. in 1941, going from there in 1942 to work for the U.S. Civil Service at the Seattle Port of Embarkation.

In December of 1942 Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps because he was interested in becoming a pilot.  He trained in Hemet, CA then went to Hondo, TX before being stationed in Walla Walla, WA.  He was honorably discharged in 1945.

Jack returned to Toppenish, and with his brother Mack they obtained a GI loan and opened Houston Brothers Hardware in 1946; selling it in 1952.  In 1951 they built the Toppenish Bowling and Recreation Center, which was destroyed in a fire in 1958.

Jack married Sneezie (Lorraine) Quilter McGee, also from Toppenish on June 7, 1953.  They operated the Toppenish Bowling and Recreation Center together.  After the fire they moved to Richland in Sept 1958 with their three young daughters Jackie, Terry and Carole.  Jack and Sneezie bought the Richland Bowling Lanes which they owned from 1959 – 1961; formed a corporation with other business partners and built the Atomic Bowling Lanes in 1960.

Jack started his own company Houston Real Estate & Development in 1961, which later became Richland Realty, Inc. and started Benton City Realty in the mid 70’s.  He owned and operated Richland Realty until he “officially” retired at the age of 93, in 2012.  Jack was an entrepreneur and involved in several other business ventures from the 1960’s through the 1980’s.  When his brother Mack moved to Richland, in 1965, they were two of the primary commercial real estate developers in the area.

Family was very important to Jack.  He looked out for his Pop his whole life and his daughters were always #1 with him. He was an extremely hard worker and did the best he could to make sure everyone was well taken care of.  During his entire life he stayed close with his brothers and in touch with his many half siblings that were all older than him and scattered throughout the states as well as his many cousins.  Most family vacations were spent visiting relatives and Jack attended all the family reunions he could.  Summers involved family fun water skiing and boating primarily at Levey Landing.  Jack was involved in his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grand children’s lives as much as possible, they were his world.  Youngsters always brought a huge smile to his face and it gave him so much pleasure to watch them play. 

Jack loved flying. He and Sneezie had private pilots’ licenses. During the 1950’s through 1960’s they took many wonderful flying trips together across the U.S. and sometimes took their girls with them on short local trips.  Jack continued flying on local trips into the late 1970’s.  In later years they enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, Reno and Hawaii.

Jack enjoyed sports and if his daughter’s and grandchildren participated in sports or any other activities, he was their biggest supporter and sometimes their loudest cheerleader.   Most summers since the first Columbia Hydroplane boat in 1966, he could be found way up under the Pasco side of the “Blue Bridge” watching the races. He was a loyal Mariners, Seahawks, any Washington State college, Gonzaga basketball and Richland Bombers fan. 

Jack’s hobby was “farming;” he took pleasure in his vegetable gardens, grape vines and a variety of fruit and nut trees.  He also enjoyed long driving trips, sightseeing and the occasional casinos. 

Cats were an important part of most of Jack’s life, in his later years they were his constant companions and of much comfort to him.  He really enjoyed talking to them, playing with and spoiling them.

Jack was very proud to be a lifelong member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Democratic Party.  He was a huge supporter and they were two of Jack’s strongest passions. 

Jack proudly served as a Richland City Councilman from 1964 -1968.

He was a member of many organizations throughout his life:  CCC Chapter 48, The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Good Roads Association, Benton City Democrats, Tri-City Board of Realtors, Vista Flying Club, Elks, Eagles, and several others.

Jack is survived by his daughters Jackie Hanson, Richland, Terry Raile, Issaquah, Carole Rodriguez, Kennewick, granddaughters Sandi Rodriguez, Shylah Ward (Dean), grandsons DJ Hanson (Amanda), Jace Raile, great-grandsons Alex Muns, Jaxon and Liam Ward, great-granddaughters Kenley and Harper Hanson, nephews Dan Houston, Mike Houston, nieces Leslee and Sharman Houston.

Jack was preceded in death by wife Sneezie, brothers Barney and Mack Houston and all his half siblings.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Events at Sunset, 915 ByPass Hwy in Richland on Saturday March 24^th at 1pm. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice.