This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Houston Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4578/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A much-loved resident of Las Cruces since 1997, Roy Roger Houston, died suddenly at his home last weekend. He will be remembered by the many friends from his neighborhood who enjoyed both his excellent cooking and bountiful garden produce, as a lively entertaining and generous host. A visitor to his home would be treated not only to some of the best Asian-inspired seafood meals that ever came out of a New Mexico kitchen, but also some of the funniest, most ribald jokes and stories around, and finally be gifted with a bag of fresh, home-grown vegetables, on their way out. Born in Bay City, Texas, in 1942, to parents Clifford Lee and Naomi Sophia Houston, Roy spent most of his youth in Oklahoma, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Judy. As a child, Roy experienced the kind of loss which few people could well endure, becoming orphaned at the age of nine and then raised by his older sister, Carolyn. Roy and Judy's daring move to Alaska in 1968, after a coin-toss where Australia would have been the alternate destination, shows the kind of optimism for opportunity and sense of adventure which Roy and Judy held. Both family and friends of the couple must have been inspired by the move, because not long after their departure, Judy's parents and their best friends Truman Dixon and Natalie and Russell Davis followed them to Alaska. Roy worked a variety of jobs in Alaska, including on the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, in Delta Junction. The couple homesteaded at the time, taking up the opportunity of land ownership, by growing alfalfa and building a home in the wilderness. Eventually, a debilitating condition in his hips resulted in surgery and reduced ability to work, effectively setting Roy on the path of early retirement. It was at this time that Roy pursued his more creative interests such as cooking and drawing. The family began to take regular holidays to Hawaii, to escape the Alaskan winter and it was then that Roy's love of the ocean and tropical foods was inspired. His children inherited the same sense of adventure and love of fascinating places. His daughter Tracy, enjoys scuba diving in the Caribbean and his son, Brian, has lived in Japan and now a resident of Australia, is experiencing the alternate destination choice, of that coin-toss from so long ago. After Judy's retirement as a high school principal, the last 4 years of which were spent in a remote community in northern Alaska, Roy and Judy moved to Hawaii where they enjoyed the tropical island lifestyle. A desire to own a home closer to family in Oklahoma, led them to Las Cruces, where they quickly became active in their neighborhood and wider community. Volunteering at election campaigns and the hospice in Las Cruces gave Roy and Judy an outlet for their boundless generosity. They have truly made the world a better place, by being in it. Grandchildren Mallory, Sophia and Sage will do well, to carry the memory of their Papa Roy, as will his great-grand daughter, Kennedy. If his descendants experience the same sense of adventure and passion for life even in the face of pain and loss as Roy did, they will be well on their way to living a truly inspired life. In lieu of flowers, friends of Roy may instead make a donation to his favorite charity, the Mesilla Valley Hospice. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on July 18, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.