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
Picher-Cardin High School in 1933. he attended Jr. College at Miami and then graduated from Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, and later did graduate work at Pittsburg State Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kansas.

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.
   After teaching six years, he resigned and began working for the Empire District Electric Co. where he was the Assistant District Manager and Picher Office Manager. Fortunately for him, "Doc" was not accepted into the military during WW2, however, he more than made up for it. Due to a shortage of male coaches, for the next eleven years he served as a volunteer coach in the Picher Jr. High system, coaching football, basketball and track.
   In 1962 "Doc" returned to teaching in the Picher system, teaching social studies and he continued to coach jr. high sports until 1970, then was Director of Testing and Federal Aids until he retired in 1976.
   "Doc" developed an interest in golf in the early 1940's. However, he was so busy with other activities that he only played occasionally until 1962 when he began playing regularly at the Schifferdecker Municipal Golf Course in Joplin, Mo. In 1967 he was asked to become secretary-treasurer of the Joplin Golf Club at the Schifferdecker Course. "I really felt something of an obligation," said Houston, "I lived in Oklahoma and I wasn't paying taxes to help support the golf course, by becoming secretary- treasurer, I thought that I could at least do that much. It was kind of like trying to pay a debt that I felt that I owed." Under his leadership for the next nineteen years, the membership increased from 100 to 255 and his innovative card re-minder system made the Ozark Amateur one of the top tournaments in the district. According to the files of the Joplin Globe, "Doc" never missed a meeting or failed to give a financial report or read the secretary's report

 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.          
   Other recognitions that he has received are:
—In 1962 "Doc" was selected as the Ottawa County Teacher of the Year for his dedication for helping young students.

—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.
    For the history of the Picher area, and her people, very few know more than "Doc" Houston. In addition he is a man of high principles, character, integrity and your friend.