Mar 1, 2014

Avid outdoorsman

Samuel G. “Sam” Houston, 77, of Peters Township, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2014, in Country Meadows Connections memory support unit after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born December 27, 1936, in Monongahela, a son of the late Alexander and Rebecca Brooks Houston.

Mr. Houston was a steamfitter, working out of Local 354 in Youngwood.

He was an avid outdoorsman, whose love of nature truly defined him. He spent 20 years as a deputy with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He loved hunting with his Labrador companion, Chance, trapping in Pennsylvania and Maine, and fishing anywhere there was water.

Mr. Houston loved spending time in Maine with his wife, Elly, and their dogs, Peck, Ty and Chance.

Surviving are his wife of 26 years, Eleanor Houston; two sons, Michael (Arzu) Rudar and Erik Rudar; a daughter, Heather Rudar; a sister, Dorla (the late David) Lusk; a grandson, Jet Rudar, who he adored; his children, Edward Houston, Rebecca Mealy, Samuel R. “Bobby” Houston and Sherri Houston; a sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Gale Lorenzi; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, deceased is a brother, Jack “Piney” Houston.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211, where a service to celebrate Mr. Houston’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5. Memorial gifts may be made to GENTIVA Hospice, 190 Bilmar Drive, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, or The Pennsylvania Game Commission, Dept. MS, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Please add tributes at beinhauer.com.