Carl Leland Huston

Carl Leland Huston, age 88, of Grants Pass, died April 23, 2020 at Home on The Rogue.

Carl was born September 10, 1931 in Hatch, New Mexico to Bernice “Lloyd” Huston and Louetta Mae (Branson) Huston. He had three older siblings: Clarence (1920), Berniece (1924), Frank (1930), and a baby brother David (1936-1937).

The family moved from Hatch, to San Bernardino, California, setting down roots in Grants Pass, Oregon, around 1945. Carl graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1949. He began working at the Grants Pass Daily Courier on October 1, 1948 when he was 17 years old and worked there for 48 ½ years, retiring on June 24, 1997 at age 65. He started as a Pressman, was promoted to Mechanical Superintendent and Production Manager, eventually returning to the Pressroom, where he was most comfortable. He worked through three generations of the Voorhies family ownership of the Daily Courier.

Carl met his future wife, Ernestine Lucille Miller, at a square dance in Hugo, Oregon. They were married on August 18, 1950. They raised 4 children together, Linda, David, Michael and Nancy, in the home Carl built on a small farm, where Carl & Ernie lived for the rest of their marriage. The family enjoyed camping, fishing, waterskiing and bowling. The boys, including those that also lived in the neighborhood, enjoyed rebuilding engines of all kinds with Carl, especially those connected to motorcycles! Carl could repair or rebuild anything and was affectionately known to his grandkids as “MacGyver”.

Carl loved cars, fast ones, slow ones and especially vintage ones. He owned a 1931 Ford Model A and restored it, authentically, from the frame up. Carl and Ernie were members of the Caveman Vintage Car Club and Henry’s Lady Car Club. They loved driving the Model A in the Grants Pass Memorial Day Parade, always with grandkids in the rumble seat. They joined the club in many other parades, tours and car meets.

Carl and Ernie were #1 fans at all of the life events of their grandkids.

Carl lived his last two years at Home on The Rogue in Grants Pass, Oregon. His family will be forever grateful for the kind, gentle, and tender loving care they gave without limit to Carl. His days on the deck overlooking the mighty Rogue River will be remembered as beautiful and peaceful.

Carl is survived by his children Mike Huston and Nancy Nelson (spouse Ron Nelson); 12 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ernie; his parents; daughter Linda; son David; and siblings Clarence, Ocie “Berniece”, Frank and David.

Carl will be buried at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens on Friday May 1st attended by his family. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a future date as soon as Coronavirus restrictions allow.