Friday, March 29, 2024

Jay Dee Houston

Posted

On a cold, eleven-below zero day, Jay Dee was born Jan. 11, 1947, to Chet and Dorothy Houston in Leavenworth, Washington. He passed away Jan. 27, 2018, with his family lovingly surrounding him. Growing up and living across the street from the school, gave Jay Dee, his brother and the neighborhood kids the opportunity to play every sport they could think of on the school playground. Jay Dee had fond memories of that as well as playing football and basketball in school. On weekends, he spent many hours working at Stevens Pass, stapling tickets to jackets, and skiing in places that required a ride or walk back to the ski area.
In 1966, Jay Dee enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the USS Ponchatoula, a refueling ship, for four years. Since he golfed, he frequently was asked by the Captain to golf with him when they pulled into various ports. Jay Dee married Sandy West in the Leavenworth United Methodist Church in 1967. They resided two years in Hawaii.
Jay Dee worked at Alcoa in Wenatchee for 30 years and at the time of retirement at age 54, he served the company as Safety Manager.
Retirement offered many opportunities for Jay Dee, including watching his four grandchildren play sports. For eight years, he kept stats on his computer for every volleyball game, and never left the gym until the coach had the results. He taught all four grandchildren to golf and ski.
Golf was his passion. He learned to golf when his family ran the Leavenworth Golf Course in the early ‘60s. Each night, the four of them would hand-carry sprinklers while carrying a club to golf. Jay Dee played in the Bavarian Golf Tournament for close to 50 years and won twice, as well as being the club champion and making a hole in one! He enjoyed playing in pro-ams with his pal, Ed Paine, recorded all member handicaps, and helped with tournaments. He supported youth golf by driving vans for the Cascade golf team and also helped coach. Jay Dee could be found at the course almost daily… golfing with his brother and friends, chatting with the pro, or sipping coffee in the clubhouse. He was a great ambassador for the Leavenworth Golf Club.
Jay Dee is remembered as a kind, humble, responsible, and committed family man who adored his grandchildren beyond measure.
Jay Dee was preceded in death by Dorothy and Chet Houston (parents). Jay Dee is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandy Houston, Kristy (daughter) and Elia Ala’ilima-Daley, Staci (daughter) and Brantley Bain , Eliana and Makena Ala’ilima-Daley (granddaughters), Tyler Bain (grandson), Jacelyn Bain (granddaughter), Bob Houston (brother) and long time best friend, Larry Kesterson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Feb. 17, 2018 at 11 a.m .in the Cascade High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Leavenworth Community United Methodist Church Backpack Brigade, providing weekend food for students in the Cascade School District. Following the service, please join the family at the Leavenworth Golf Course. Wards Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.