Myron 'Mike' Houston, 86

Myron “Mike” Houston passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.

He was born in Kalispell on Dec. 13, 1933, to Clinton and Bernice Houston. He attended Elrod Elementary, Central and Flathead High School. He graduated in 1952. He worked at Kalispell Lumber Company until he entered the Army in 1955. He became a paratrooper and served in Germany for two years. He came home and began working with his father and brother (Charles) in the family business at Meridian Dairy. During this time he married Janice Barrier and had two sons, Mathew and Tod. After their marriage ended, he went on to marry Regina Strand in 1965. They had a daughter, Laralee, and adopted a son, Cory.

He has been preceded in death by his parents Clint and Bernice, as well as his brother Charles, his mother-in-law Hilda Strand and his father-in-law Melford Strand.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Regina, his sons and daughter, and his six grandchildren.

In addition to working at the family dairy, where many people came to know him as “Milkman Mike,” he went on to work with Melford at Strand Homes from 1969 to 1974. In 1974 he began his career in the insurance business. Starting with Farmers Union, he then moved on to the Les Tinseth Agency, where he worked until his retirement in 2019 at age 85, after 45 years in the business.

Mike loved to serve his community and help people. He was a volunteer fireman with the Smith Valley and Bigfork departments. He also was an active member and leader at the Moose Lodge and the VFW.

In addition to his work he was an outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and enjoyed living for many years on Echo Lake in Bigfork. It was here that he taught his kids how to drive his boat, swim, water-ski and fish.

Everyone knew him to be genuine, sincere and just a really good guy. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

He requested that no funeral service be held at this time but a celebration of his life will take place next spring.