Fred M. Huston

October 26, 1928 – July 16. 2017

Fred M. Huston, 88, a 63-year resident of Moses Lake, passed away Sunday, July 16 at Confluence Health Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash., surrounded by family.

Fred was born October 26, 1928 to Harvey M. and Beatrice M. Huston, in Pasco, Wash.

He graduated from Pasco High School in 1946. He participated in football, boxing and student government. Following graduation from high school he worked for a year with the U.S. Forest Service out of Troy, in Northeastern Oregon.

Fred enrolled at Washington State University (WSU) in 1947 and graduated on June 3, 1951. He majored in agriculture and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho, Sigma Chapter and a member of ROTC. That same day he married his college sweetheart, Eloise Wilma Horn.

He began his career in education at Waitsburg High School where he taught Vocational Agriculture and Science for the next three years and served as advisor for the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

In 1954, Fred and Eloise moved to Moses Lake, where he taught Vocational Agriculture and mentored the FFA chapter for the next 10 years. He earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration (with principal’s credential) from WSU in 1958.

In 1964 he went on to teach agriculture and auto mechanics at Big Bend Community College. In 1965 he accepted the position of Vocational Dean of Instruction at Big Bend. In that capacity he oversaw the vocational training programs for aviation, nursing, auto mechanics and welding.

Fred served as Vocational Dean of Instruction for the next 21 years, retiring from Big Bend College in 1985. During that time, he further developed the vocational training programs and saw Big Bend College expand to its present-day campus.

Fred worked in the Quality Assurance Department at Union Carbide for the next five years, producing silicon crystals for computer chips. He retired from Union Carbide in 1990.

During his working years and many years into his retirement, Fred was active in many organizations. They included Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts leadership, Kiwanis, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Retired Teachers Association. He also served as a Board Member of Moses Lake Senior Center and Skyline Acres Neighborhood Association.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Harvey M. and Beatrice M. Huston, brothers Harvey and Charles, daughter Margaret Jo and son Charles (Chuck). He is survived by his wife of 66 years Eloise, daughter Mary Perkins (Robert) of Ellensburg and son Bill (Ludel) of San Diego, California. Fred is also survived by six grandchildren Brittania (née Huston) Asher (Brian), Matthew Perkins (Kristin), Rhean Perkins (Este Delvalle), Melissa (née Perkins) Anderson (Chris), Jezel Huston (Tara) and Yvette Huston and 16 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 East Third Ave., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. A short reception will follow. Guests may bring an apple pie, which was Fred’s favorite treat, to be shared by all.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Charles and Fred Huston Memorial Scholarship at the Big Bend College Scholarship Foundation. Pursuant to Fred’s lifelong work of helping others learn and prosper, this scholarship is awarded each year to a Big Bend College student. The Foundation may be contacted at www.bigbend.edu and emailed at foundation@bigbend.edu.

Fred was known for his love of family, neighbors and community. He was a strong man who felt strength should be shared by making the world a better place by educating youth to achieve success and by enabling his community to be stable and productive. In short, he loved his fellow man. He will be deeply missed.