Y. George Houston, 84, of Preston, and formerly of Maquoketa, passed away on Friday morning, January 2, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Young George Houston was born on November 27, 1941, in Selma, Alabama, to Marcus Kennedy and Beatrice (White) Houston Sr.  His early years were spent in Alabama where he attended Hicks Memorial High School in Autaugaville, Alabama, graduating in 1960. His sense of duty led him to serve in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned an honorable discharge. On March 28, 1964, George married the love of his life, Joyce Current, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, and together they welcomed three children, Michael, Marcus and Michelle.

George and Joyce initially made their home in Alabama, but soon after, they moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, which they proudly called home for many years. George’s work ethic was evident in his career as a machinist at Caterpillar in Mount Joy, where he worked until 1988. He continued to apply his skills at A-1 Electronics and eventually retired after a decade as the maintenance person at River Village Apartments in Maquoketa.

George loved sports and was well-known in the area for his many years of dedication and volunteering as the leader of the Maquoketa Youth Baseball organization from 1974 to 1987.  He helped countless kids learn the game of baseball and provided a place for them to learn important life skills like teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, and how to enjoy life.  George also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and going for rides searching for wildlife.  His Sunday night dinner outings with Craig were a cherished tradition as were the moments spent cheering on his favorite sports teams, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Those left to honor his memory include children, Michael (Marion) Houston of Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Marcus (Inge) Houston of Germany, and Michelle (Craig) Thines of Preston, IA; 8 grandchildren, Matthew Houston, Melanie (Sean) Starr, Marcus Houston, Lance (Katelyn) Muhlhausen, Cale (Nicole) Muhlhausen, Collin (Megan) Thines, Kennedy (Carson) Mangelsen, and Paige Thines; 7 great-grandchildren, Kameron Houston, Kristopher Houston, Lylah Starr, Sean Starr Jr., Aiden Meier-Muhlhausen, Brinley Vosatka, and Charlotte Jo Muhlhausen; and siblings, Laura Condra of AL, and Marcus “Junior” Houston of AL; and in-laws, Sharon and Randall Edwards, Delores Current, and Doris Current.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce on May 27, 2018, one brother, and 3 sisters.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 9, 2026, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 P.M., Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Cremation will follow the visitation.  Burial with military honors will be at Pence Cemetery, rural Baldwin, Iowa.

The family wishes to especially thank the Palliative Care Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Y. George Houston memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.