Patricia Ann Houston

Des Moines - Patricia Ann Price Houston, 80, passed away July 2, 2014 in Aurora, CO.


A lifetime learner and educator, Pat was born on May 16, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, MO to Lloyd L. and Bessie Parrish Price. She graduated with honors from Sioux City, Iowa East High School and spent two years at Iowa State Teachers College receiving a certificate to teach for two years. She then finished her BA in Education in a year and a half at the University of Iowa. Pat moved to Portland, Oregon, not knowing a soul, and began her teaching career in the Portland School System. There, she met her future husband Gilbert Roy Houston and they married in Sioux City on August 24, 1960. Gil later became a regional air traffic controller with the FFA in Auburn, WA, and the family settled in nearby Puyallup. Pat taught in the Puyallup School system for 20 plus years until her retirement, initially as a grade school teacher and later becoming the grade school librarian for multiple schools. Always a learner, she took an estimated 110 college hours beyond her BA of classes, ones that either interested her or facilitated her career. Pat was widowed early in life, but it did not relegate her to staying at home nor lessen her desire for hands-on education. For instance, she twice back packed through Europe staying in hostels and once served as a deckhand on an all female crew schooner to "learn the ropes". Her greatest accomplishments were her two children both of whom who learned to take on any task given them in the same adventurous manner as she would. Notwithstanding that adventurous attitude, living 50 years with Type I diabetes wore down her body, ultimately causing her heart to give up. Pat was pre-deceased by her parents and husband.
Survivors: Son, Kurt Gregory Houston, wife Shelley and daughter Megan; and Daughter Janet Ruth Houston-Haworth, husband Randy and children Colby, Reagan, and Drake; Brother Kenneth Price and Sister Janet Price Johnson

Service: A celebration of her life will be held on August 8TH at 1:00 pm at Powers Funeral Home 320 W Pioneer Ave. Puyallup WA 98371. In Lieu of flowers, Donations to American Diabetes Association would be appreciated.




Arrangements under the direction of Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup, WA.