Samuel Columbus Houston, 94, of Liberty, MO, departed this life on Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Sam was born on January 24, 1921 in Liberty, MO to Charles and Flora (Dorsey) Houston. He graduated from Garrison School in 1939.
Sam’s family was among the first African American families to settle in Clay County in 1844, and were deeply dedicated to building a strong community in Liberty. Sam was employed by Liberty Public Schools for 38 years as the Director of Custodial Services at Ridgeview and Liberty Junior High. He was the owner of Houston Custodial Services for 25 years. He also worked for the Clay County Abstract Company and the Clay County Health Department.
Sam yearned to make a difference in his community and decided to run for Liberty City Council in 1975. On his first attempt at politics, he beat an incumbent to become the first African American elected official in Clay County. He represented Ward One and served on the Liberty City Council for 18 years.
Sam believed in community service and volunteering his time to make Liberty a better place. Sam worked tirelessly to fight for civil rights, fair housing and public accommodation laws in the 1960s in Liberty. In March of 1968, Sam, his brother Harold and Rev. Julian Houston, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in Liberty (no relation), demonstrated in Memphis with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and thousands of others who supported a citywide sanitation workers strike in the struggle for economic justice.
Sam served as co-founder of the Liberty Fellowship of the Concerned, chair of the First Baptist Church Deacon Board and deacon for 50 years, In As Much Ministries Board of Directors, Clay County African American Legacy, Inc., Board of Directors, Liberty Hospital Foundation Board, Clay County Health Department Board of Trustees and Rebuilding Liberty Together Board of Directors.
In 1985, Sam formed a committee of Liberty citizens to plan the first Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration and organized the first civil rights march in the community. For the past 31 years, Liberty has observed the King Celebration in churches of all denominations and in recent years at William Jewell College.
Sam organized and chaired the first Juneteenth Celebration in Clay County in 1987, with Liberty being the only Northland city to participate. He continued to serve as chair until 1994. He was the Grand Marshall of the first Kansas City, MO Juneteenth Parade and served as the Grand Marshall of the 2007 Liberty High School Homecoming Parade.
Through the years Sam received numerous awards: Liberty Outstanding Civic Leadership Award; William Jewell Tatler Outstanding Citizen Award; Liberty Martin Luther King, Jr., Service Award; Sertoma Service to Mankind Award; and was appointed to the Commission on Human Rights by former Governor John Teasdale in 1980.
In March 2008, Sam was presented the Outstanding Missourian Award on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives in Jefferson City.
Sam was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Merical, second wife, Mary Helen Houston and his son, Samuel Craig Houston. Sam’s legacy will be carried on by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include: His children: Seawadon “Sea” Houston (Carole) of Atlanta, GA; Arbelia “Bea” Young (Cy - deceased) of Liberty, MO; Eileen Houston-Stewart (Frank) of Liberty, MO and Larry Harris (Regina) of Kansas City, MO. His grandchildren: Michael Houston (Rohna) of Oakland, CA, Michelle Young of Atlanta, GA, Jon Harris of Kansas City, MO, Simone Houston Stewart, Liberty, MO; Brenda Houston Harrison (Derrick) of Sacramento, CA, Toni Gore (Wayne) of Griffin, GA; and George Houston (Kathleen) of San Carlos, CA and nine great-grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who mourn his passing.
A visitation will be held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 North State Route 291 in Liberty on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., celebration of life service will begin at 11 am followed by a reception at the church. Burial in Glenridge Cemetery in Liberty, MO following the reception.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Fellowship of the Concerned, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 138 N. Main, Liberty, MO 64068. Online condolences may be expressed at www.parklawnfunerals.com. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.