Evan E. Huston

Huston, Evan E “Spike” Age 86, was called home by the Lord on July 26, 2013. “Spike” was born on June 26, 1927 in Red Oak, Iowa and spent the majority of his childhood in Strasburg, Colorado. He was born to Charles “Chuck” and Elsie (nee Evans) Huston. He was the brother of William Charles “Bill” Huston, all of who have preceded him in death. Growing up in a small town in eastern Colorado, Spike could be found helping out in the family grocery store, working in the local theater, spending time with his buddies. After graduating high school in 1945, Spike joined the U.S. Merchant Marines and spent 18 months sailing around the world, visiting some of the most fascinating ports in the world. In 1947, Spike enrolled at Colorado State University where he participated in ROTC. He graduated in 1951 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. It was at Colorado State that he met the lovely and talented Patricia Casey from Ogden, Utah who captured his heart with her beauty and witty sense of humor. They married in December of 1950 in Fort Collins, Colorado, seven months after their first meeting. She was the love of his life for 63 years. Early in his Air Force career, Spike and Pat moved often including stops at Biloxi, Mississippi, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and Denver, Colorado. Spike was then stationed at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he helped design missile guidance systems while working at the White Sands Missile Range. He was subsequently stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois while Spike obtained a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana; during this time Spike and Pat welcomed their first son. They then returned to Holloman AFB, where they were blessed by twin sons. From 1961 to 1967, Spike taught Electrical Engineering at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He loved to go trout fishing at Gore Pass in his free time. We get the impression that he considered fishing in Gore Pass to be a bit of heaven on earth. In 1967, the family moved to northern Virginia, where Spike worked at the Office of Aerospace Research; during this time, a fourth son was born. In 1972, after 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, Spike retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The family moved to Tempe, Arizona where he began teaching Electronics Technology at GateWay Community College until his retirement there in 1987. After his second career at the Community College, he and his wife retired to Tucson, Arizona and purchased a summer home in Show Low, Arizona. On 33rd Avenue and Hanson Street in Show Low, “Spike” enjoyed gardening, golfing, his wife’s gourmet cooking and his passion for genealogy. It was the place where the family gathered, particularly for Fourth of July celebrations and the place where many fond memories for the family were created. Since 2009, Spike and Pat have resided at Park Regency. He is remembered as a good, kind man and a thoughtful gentle teacher of things important in life. His sons regard him as a strong family patriarch, an inspirational father and grandfather who gave well thought-out advice and opinions. His family dearly loves him and he lived a well-respected life. We give him salutation and tribute for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and to his family. He was faithful to family and true to the end. Evan “Spike” Huston is survived by his wife, Patricia Casey Huston, his sons, Edward (Julie) of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Kerry (Sherri) of Chandler, Arizona, Casey (Gail Elizabeth “Beth”) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Patrick “Bodick” of Tempe, Arizona, grandchildren, Heidi Yedica (Peter), John (Jess), Michael (Joelle), Christopher (Elise), Patrick, Charlotte and Clara, great grandchildren Peter Dean “Kai” and Evan, and sister-in-law Ruth Casey Parker. Other in-laws, cousins, nephews and long-time friends also survive “Spike”. A memorial service with military honors will be held at a later date and the final resting place will be the Church of Our Savior in Show Low, Arizona. The family would like to express their heart-felt gratitude to care giver Bianca Holguin and all the staff at Park Regency.