Sam Huston

Sam C. Huston, 81, of Grand Island, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Evangelical Free Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Gary Schulte, Rev. Paul Nauman, and Sam's son, Sid Huston will officiate.

Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Sam was born April 5, 1928, in Grand Island to Paul and Hazel Huston.

Sam was united in marriage to Barbara Nugent on June 2, 1956, in Sheridan, Wyo.

Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Barbara; children, Sid and Karen Huston, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Mimi (Huston) and Tom Ramsbottom of Elkhorn, Jay and Candy Huston of Grand Island, Sue (Huston) and David Hundley of Lincoln, and Neal and Cindy Huston of Kansas City, Mo.; and his brother Tedd C. Huston of Lincoln.

Infant son, Joe Huston, died shortly after his birth.

Sam adored and encouraged his 15 grandchildren, Jamie Ramsbottom Moore, Zach Huston, Jake Ramsbottom, Stephanie Huston, Jordan Huston Carlson, Hannah Huston, Skyler Huston, Jackson Ramsbottom, Rachel Huston, Hannah Hundley, Sam Huston, Joseph Huston, Joseph Hundley, Daniel Hundley and Lazarus Hundley, by sharing the Lord with them and attending their activities.

Other survivors include children and grandchildren of his sister Mary and his brother Tedd.

Sam grew up in Grand Island where he received his education and graduated from Grand Island Senior High. He was starting quarterback for two years and remained a faithful G.I. sports enthusiast all his life.

Sam entered the Navy on July 13, 1946, and was honorably discharged after two years of service. He graduated from the University of Nebraska�Lincoln with a B.S. in Business Administration. He attended Real Estate School at UNO and sold real estate in Omaha before returning to Grand Island to join his father, Paul C. Huston at the Huston Co. (established by Sam's grandfather in 1889), which Sam owned at the time of his death.

He received his Broker's License on Oct. 4, 1951. Sam was a member of the Nebraska REALTORS Association from Oct. 4, 1951 to present. He was president of the local Real Estate Board and also president of the Nebraska State Board of REALTORS. He was awarded Realtor of the Year. He was appointed by the governor in 1980 to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission. He served as NE Commissioner from 1980 to 1986. He served on the National Board of REALTORS. He received his Emeritus Status in 2002. His father, Paul Huston, was also a Commissioner from 1965 to 1970.

Sam was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1975. He was instrumental in helping lay the groundwork for the Municipal Golf Course. He was president of the YMCA and involved in many bond drives to benefit the YMCA and the community. Sam was an avid handball player and played for 60 years. He was president of the Goodwill Industries and oversaw the opening of several Goodwill stores across Nebraska. He was instrumental in bringing Christian athletes to the high schools of Grand Island through "Athletes in Action" where professional athletes shared how their faith in Jesus Christ had changed their lives. He was a member of the Hall County Historical Society serving several terms on the board. He was chairman of the Hall County Republican Party and his co-chair was Irene Abernethy.

Sam was united in marriage to Barbara Nugent on June 2, 1956, in Sheridan, Wyo., after which the couple lived in Grand Island where he sold real estate out of the Huston Co. office and later became the owner of Huston Co.

Sam and Barb were blessed with six children.

Sam always looked forward to Tuesday night Bible Study with Paul Nauman, pastor and Bible teacher from Giltner. Sam and his wife Barb attended the Bible Study for the last 33 years. He is a member of the Evangelical Free Church where he served several terms as a Deacon. He also ushered for the Singing Christmas Tree. For over 50 years, Sam and Barb attended Nebraska Husker Football Games and you could always find them at Grand Island football games on Friday nights.

Those family members who preceded him are his infant son, Joe; his father and mother Paul and Hazel Huston; and sister, Mary Huston Schuyler.

Sam was a servant. He will also be remembered for his kindness, steadfastness, discipline, wisdom and love for family, friends and the Lord. One of his favorite Bible verses was Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Memorials are suggested to be sent to Christian Resource Center, 603 S. K Road, Giltner, NE 68841-3725.

Sign the guestbook at theindependent.com/obits.