July 12, 1929 — June 6, 2018

Joseph Stanley Houston passed away on June 6, 2018, at his home in Orem, Utah. Stan was born in Panguitch, Utah, on July 12, 1929, in the Houston family home “right there on the kitchen table!”

He was born to Della Prince and John Steiner Houston and was the third of seven children. He always loved and adored his family, so it came natural to love others throughout his life.

We as his children have always believed each one of us was his favorite as it was with many of his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, school students and friends. Stan was endeared by many and lived a full and adventurous life.

He loved his childhood surrounded by grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins on every side. Stan loved his teachers in his youth and remembered each by name in his later years.

Stan was successful in many walks of life. He enjoyed working with his dad and brothers in the family livestock and flour businesses, boxing at the county fair and participating in FFA, and tourists loved visiting with him as their Bryce Canyon bus driver and tour guide.

Stan earned his barbering license with perfect scores to pay his way through school at Brigham Young University where he obtained a master’s degree in communication. He loved barbering with his brothers Prince and Clark any chance he got.

Through 1949-52, Stan served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil when the entire country was all one mission. At the conclusion of his mission, he traveled to Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru and Cuba.

After his mission, Stan enjoyed adding two more countries to his list – Africa and Spain – while he was in the military. He excelled as a communications officer in the U.S. Navy. His men and those higher in rank trusted and respected him. We have loved honoring him as a veteran.

Stan married his sweetheart, Georgia Lillian Hutchins, while stationed in Sanford, Florida, and were sealed later that year in the St. George LDS Temple. He moved her to Utah, where together they raised a family of five of their own children and helped raise many more.

Stan taught a bounty of subjects as a high school teacher in Enterprise, Bluff, Florida and Hurricane. He always had something going on after school and in the community as well.

Stan served faithfully as a bishop and in many other callings in the LDS church. Of course, his favorite callings were with the youth.

Stan started a diving business, S&S Diving, with his oldest son, Sam, and enjoyed teaching diving to all who would show an interest. He was the dive master of Southern Utah for many years.

Stan used his love of flying airplanes to help others locally and flew with his brothers. He especially enjoyed his medical excursions with his brother Don to serve the people of Mexico.

He served with the Search and Rescue Patrol, was a deputy and actually played the role of a deputy in a movie filmed in Southern Utah.

Stan had a realtor’s license and business motivated by his brother Clark. He enjoyed meeting and helping all those he came in contact with.

Stan loved his music in every genre and enjoyed collecting record albums. All who really knew Stan knew he loved a good yard sale because he was a “King of Trading.”

As children we had a taste of everything: horses, Shetland ponies, limousine, guns, coin collecting, mini bikes, canoes, boats, fishing, cabins and travel. Sometimes our lives felt like one big adventure! Stan loved his children and grandchildren. Many neighborhood friends remember when he would come to babysit while parents pursued their own adventures and travel.

Stan and his sweetheart, Georgia, served an LDS senior mission to the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission, with Portuguese speaking. But within days, they were transferred across the bridge to Camden, New Jersey, serving in the Cherry Hill Mission because of their ability to teach and love “their students.” They worked together in setting up a new branch, taking upon themselves all positions until they trained someone to take their place. He and Georgia later served a second mission in the St. George Temple.

Ten years ago, Stan and Georgia were diagnosed with cancer within a week of each other. Shortly after surgery and remission, they moved to Orem along with Georgia’s sister Jennie. Stan and Georgia lived there for the remainder of their lives. They were loved and cherished.

Stan was successful in anything he put his hand to because of the love he had for others. He truly lived a full life. His children and grandchildren adored him and always knew he loved them dearly. He lived what he believed. He was a true example as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Stan will forever be remembered as a man of honor. He believed in his covenants he made with the Lord. He loved his Heavenly Father and Savior, and nothing was more important than loving and serving God’s children.

Stan is preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Lillian Hutchins Houston; son Samuel Brown Booth, Jr. Houston; mother, Della Prince Houston; father, John Steiner Houston; sister Beth Luke and brothers Prince, Don and Clark. He is survived by his two sisters Theresa Graff (Lloyd) and Virginia Naegle (Jim); his children Shaun Stanley Houston (Sheri), Della Ruth Humphries (Morgan), McKay Karl Houston (Karen) and Tonya Ley “Toni” Rosander (John/Rosey); his 20 beloved grandchildren; 18 plus great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services

• Funeral services will be held June 22 at 11 a.m. in the Hurricane West State Center, located at 270 S. 700 West.
• There will be a viewing at the stake center from at 9-10:30 a.m.
• Interment will be at the Hurricane City Cemetery.