John Calvin Houston

John Calvin Houston, 80, passed away peacefully, December 8, 2024, at his home in Sacramento, CA.

John is survived by his wife, Kathleen Houston; his son, John Houston; his daughter, Julie McCullough;

brothers, Michael Thomas; and Cecil Thomas.

Preceding John in death are brothers, David Houston; and Larry Shoemaker.

John was born April 11, 1944 in Vallejo, CA, the son of Jack and Olive (Cook) Houston, and was raised in

Willits, CA.

Directly after high school, John joined the United States Army serving in the 101st Airborne Division. He

returned home and soon moved to Sacramento, CA where he attended Moler Barber College. He

remained a Barber and barbershop business owner for over 60 years located entirely on J Street in

Sacramento, CA. John was a Master Barber, he cut hair continuously from age 19 to the age of 79. Over

the decades, he made numerous close friends while barbering. John was loved and respected by many.

John had the spirit of entrepreneurship. After developing a love for Speedway motorcycle racing, while

being a fulltime barbershop business owner, he ventured into a second business of promoting

motorcycle races. For 15 years, John was a successful promoter and owner of Speedway Motorcycle

Racing, helping to grow the sport which still continues in nearby Auburn, CA.

John had a passion for the outdoors, he loved hunting and fishing, and there was no place he rather be.

If you asked John what his favorite thing to do in life was, he would tell you, “deer hunting”. If you asked

him where his favorite place to be was, he would tell you, where there’s sagebrush. He absolutely loved

the high desert of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. He also loved the deserts and cactus of the

Southwest. He took great pride in the cactus rock garden he created at his home built partly with rocks

he collected over the years from various hunting trips. John’s style was accented with Tony Lama

cowboy boots, Levis, Pendleton shirts, Chevy trucks, and a thirst for Miller Lite beer.

John was a huge dog lover and his life was shared with many dogs over the years, he absolutely adored

dogs. John also loved the game of golf and became very dedicated to the game following his years as a

racing promoter. Prior to his years as a Promoter, he was a co-founder and President of the Sacramento

Wide Trackers four wheel drive club, and served several years as President of the North Area Sportsman

Association. John also enjoyed cooking, NASCAR races, and Forty Niner football games. He loved the

American Cowboy and the Cowboy way of life. He always said, if he could come back as anything else,

he would be a Cowboy. He loved the Wild West, western movies, especially the older ones, and of

course John Wayne.

John lived a very active and full life doing all the things he loved to do. He was not one to let time pass

or waste away, always engaged in the activities he loved and constantly planning the next or creatively

dreaming up new ones. He was a people person and loved to share what he loved with others. A great

storyteller, those who knew him knew him well. He was a man of honesty and integrity, he believed and

lived by the principle that a man is only as good as his word. John loved God and he loved America. He

had a huge heart and lived true to all he believed in. A beloved husband, father, and friend to many,

John will be missed by all who knew him.

At the request of John, no funeral or ceremony will be held.