By: Jim Jones 2215 Parkland Way Norman, Okla. If you lived in the Picher area between 1924 and 1984 — directly or indirectly — your life was touched by "Doc" Houston. Clarence "Doc" Houston was born in Berryville, Arkansas and soon the family moved to Collinsville, Okla., then Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Houston moved their family to Picher where he became active in surface drilling for mining companies. An older brother, Sam, now is a retired state trooper and lives in Mesa. Arizona. Two sisters, Billie and Helen, and his parents are deceased. The family home in Picher was located one block west of the high school on the north side of the road, in fact "Doc" did not move off "A" Street until 1984. "Doc" attended Central Elementary School, more commonly known as "The Twin" Schools located on South College Street. There he developed a love for athletics and during his freshman year in high school, the late and great coach, Leroy "Choc" Hayman asked "Doc" to be the trainer for all boys sports. It was a labor of love during his four years of high school and also the two years that he attended NEO Jr. College at Miami and that is how he acquired his popular nickname of "Doc".
After
graduating from He began his teaching career at Cardin as an elementary teacher and coach. With his encouragement, several boys began their successful athletic careers. Some of them were Bill Malotte, Steve Green. Jake Vaughn, Bill Vanderpool. Jimmy Kennedy, Bill Townsend, Merrit Fox, Jack Green and Lloyd Kennedy. Many will remember that "Doc" worked every Saturday at the Scott-Livingston Store, located at Third and Main Streets and because of his popularity with both the students and their parents, he sold a lot of merchandise for "Scotty." |
In 1936 "Doc" married Dixie Bushnell of
Quapaw and she is a "real winner". She was an
outstanding athlete and for nearly 50 years
held the schoolgirl's basketball scoring
record of 42
points in a single game until it was broken
in 1984. They have one son. Tommy,
who played football, basketball and track
while attending Picher-Cardin High School and
now with his wife and two children live at
Grove, Okla., where they own and operate the
Dairy Queen. |
an
achievement that he is justifiably proud, no
doubt due to his efficiency and unflagging
energy. For his tireless efforts in
behalf of the Joplin Golf Club, “Doc” was
selected for membership in the prestigious
Joplin Golf Hall of Fame. He was enshrined
in the Hall of Fame Gallery of Champ-ions in
the Schifferdecker Municipal Course Clubhouse
July 19, 1986, after a ceremonial banquet.
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—In 1983 he was honored and presented an award for support of the NEO Invitational High School Basketball tournament at Miami (largest in the State of Oklahoma) for never missing a tournament in 43 years (now 48 years) and as a man who dedicated his life to helping the youth of Ottawa County. —Throughout his teaching career, he only missed 1/2 day because of illness. —As a left handed playing golfer, "Doc" has shot 4 holes in one during his career. He played golf 189 days during 1987. After living at 548 West "A" Street in Picher for 48 years they moved to Joplin in 1984 where they could be closer to the golf course. "Doc" and Dixie are members of the United Methodist Church in Picher and have rarely missedAtt- ending for over 50 years. In fact, they still commute a few times each week to Picher to participate in church, school and community activities. Dixie is a Past Worthy Matron of Picher's Order of Eastern Star and she continues to be active there. "Doc" has an amazing memory, a total recall of names, dates and places. He recalls that "Picher has had so many great coaches and some of the great athletes were Mickey Nance, Bill Baker, Tony Bettega, Bob Montgomery and from the later years Doug Mathews, Mickey Heatherly, Larry Carnes and John LaFalier just to name a few and I certainly do not want to slight anyone, there were just so many." "Doc" was asked "What
has been the
most satisfying part of his life?" Without
hesitation he replied "It has to be working
with young people, seeing them progress and
then go out into the world and succeed has
been my most rewarding experience." A tap on
the shoulder or a word of encouragement
caused many young people to
become better than they were.
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