John Sam Houston

John Sam Houston, well known and respected local businessman, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the age of 80. He died in his home surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born in Hollywood, California on May 16, 1930 to H.W. "Hub" Houston and Ethel Cobble Houston. In 1935, the family moved to Russia in part of Industrial Exchange where Hub set up a film processing laboratory, for Mosfilm in Moscow. At the beginning of World War II the family was forced to return home to California.

John Sam attended schools in Los Angeles and was active in R.O.T.C. until moving to Los Molinas, CA. where he graduated in 1949. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army serving in the Photo Optics Core, during the Korean Conflict. After returning from Korea, he moved to San Diego and started a film processing laboratory, later selling the business and going to work for the Houston Fearless Corp. in Los Angeles. In 1960, he was sent to Yuma to set up a motion picture film-processing laboratory to process test film for the Yuma Proving Grounds. In 1962, his father, Hub Houston sold his interest in Houston Fearless Corp. and began a new business, Houston Photo Products (later known as Houston International) in Yuma, which included a film processing laboratory as well as manufacturing film-processing equipment.

John Sam later became the Vice President in charge of sales and service for the corporation, traveling worldwide selling and installing laboratory equipment. After obtaining a private pilot license he enjoyed flying for pleasure as well as for business. When time permitted he enjoyed playing golf and hunting. In the Yuma community he was active in the Rotary Club, Caballeros de Yuma and the Chamber of Commerce. He also served the State of Arizona, for ten years, as a member of the board of Aeronautics (later known as ADOT). He also served on the Yuma County Airport Authority Board from 1985-2003.

John Sam was very active at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in every facet of leadership, including serving as a Vestryman, Junior Warden, Senior Warden numerous times, Choir member and was part of the Lay Worship Ministry. He served at the Diocesan level as a member of the Diocesan Council for a number of years. He also served as a delegate to the Diocesan Convention, many times, and as an alternate delegate to the General Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a private pilot he enjoyed being part of a team of pilots called the Bishop's Angels Episcopal Air Force, flying the Bishop around the Diocese of Arizona.

John Sam is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Sally; five children, Eric (Julie) of Yuma, Tom (Stephanie) of Ashland, Oregon, Tim of Santa Barbara, California, Jack (Deb) of Portland, Oregon, and Jennifer of New York City, New York; four grandchildren, Kyle, Robert, Reilly, and Olivia; brother, Herbert Jr. (Maxamina) Houston of Yuma and sister, Laura V (Dale) Taylor of Redding, California and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, H.W. Houston and Ethel Houston, and his sister, Angeline Tate.

He was loving and generous to his family and his friends, and we will miss him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1550 S. 14th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to Hospice of Yuma or St. Paul's Memorial Fund.

Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.