Local humanitarian Jack Huston dies at age 77

By Michelle Giluso, Town Crier Editorial Intern

Jack Huston’s relentless energy and passion for the Los Altos community were still vigorous before his death on Aug. 15.

Mr. Huston died suddenly of a heart attack, at the age of 77, while alone at his San Jose residence.

Mr. Huston’s tireless community efforts rarely went unrecognized by residents.

Julie Rose, a member of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and longtime friend of Mr. Huston’s, said he was very enthusiastic about the Los Altos community.

“He loved this town from the time he moved here,” Rose said. “He was one of the greatest contributors and volunteers in the community.”

Mr. Huston’s friend Ernie Hawks proclaimed his pal “Mr. Los Altos.”

Born John Walter Huston Jan. 31, 1926, in Olds, Iowa, Mr. Huston was called “Jack” by friends and family.

After a brief stint in the military, in which he served as a parachutist in World War II, the veteran graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business.

Mr. Huston moved to Los Altos in 1949. He and his brother-in-law, Bill Russell, opened a menswear store, Russell-Huston, on State Street.

“He loved the store and its employees,” said his wife, Bobbie. The store provided high-end men’s fashion apparel.

After 34 years in business, the store closed in 1983 when the owners retired.

Russell said his brother-in-law was a friendly, civic-minded, hard-working person who was a pleasure to work with.

“It’s not too often two men can stay in business together for that long,” Russell said.

Mr. Huston married his school sweetheart, Bobbie, in 1950. They lived in Los Altos for 50 years before moving to a retirement community in San Jose.

Bobbie said she was married to a “wonderful husband” for 53 years.

The couple’s daughters, Robin Johnston and Maridee Charlton, said their father was family oriented and persistent in his efforts to keep the family tightknit.

The family went on many trips together. They traveled to Scotland to explore their family roots and often ventured to Lake Tahoe to rekindle the family bond.

Grace Johnston, whose son William is married to Robin, said Mr. Huston had a “wonderful sense of humor” and will be missed at family gatherings because he “sparked” every get-together.

“He was very loving,” she said. “He incorporated Bill right into the family.”

Mr. Huston fancied music and sports, especially swing music and Stanford sports teams.

He sang solos for his church, played the trombone and volunteered at Stanford’s Hall of Fame.

Ken Kaye, a friend of Mr. Huston’s for approximately 30 years and president of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club — a community service group, of which Mr. Huston was a member and co-founder — said he was a “very warm, giving, can-do kind of person” who tried to help anyone he could.

Kaye said Mr. Huston apologized to customers at the Kiwanis Club annual Christmas tree sale when he had to tell them he couldn’t assist with lifting 12-foot trees anymore.

“Even though he moved to San Jose, he was still active in the Los Altos community,” Kaye said. “Most folks who move away, you don’t see as much, but he stayed involved.”

There are too many of Mr. Huston’s humanitarian efforts and awards bestowed to name, but some include: past president of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce; past president and lieutenant governor of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club; founder and treasurer of the Los Altos Village Association; past chairman of the El Camino Hospital Citizens Committee to form a hospital district and pass bond issues to build and then expand the hospital; co-founder of the Festival of Lights Parade; co-founder of Foothill Bank, renamed Bank of Los Altos; and member of the board of directors of the Foothill-De Anza College Foundation.

Mr. Huston was honored with many awards, including: Citizen of the Year in 1973 by the Los Altos Board of Realtors; 25-year Citizen Award by the city of Los Altos; and Lifetime Honorary Memberships from Kiwanis Club International and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. He was made an honorary police chief and fire chief by the city of Los Altos.

Mr. Huston is survived by his wife; two daughters; three grandchildren, Michael Johnston, 9, Brian Johnston, 7, and Casey Charlton, 7; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Huston’s memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m., Thursday, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos.

The Huston family requests contributions be made to the Los Altos Community Foundation’s “Festival of Lights,” 183 Hillview Ave., Los Altos.