Freddie Leon Houston
Nov. 23, 1932-Nov. 30, 2023
Pleasanton, California

Freddie Leon Houston, head football coach at Los Banos and San Ramon High Schools and later co-founder of Mission Hope Day Program passed away at the age of 91 on November 30, 2023 in Pleasanton surrounded by his family. We are grateful for the thoughts and prayers and will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach and Friend.

Fred Houston was born in Red Rock, Oklahoma on November 23, 1932 and spent his youth in Texas prior to his family moving to the Central Valley, California. Fred was a three- year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball at Shafter High School '51 and won all-conference honors in football and basketball. He attended Fresno State on an athletic scholarship and after graduation played football for the Special Services team of the United States Army. Stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey he met the love of his life, Dorothy McMinn, at a USO Dance in New York City. Fred was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army.

Fred and Dorothy married in 1957 and settled in California. In 1958, Fred received his first teaching and coaching position at Los Banos High School. In his second year he led the Tigers to an undefeated championship season. He then accepted the head coaching position at San Ramon High School in Danville where he took over a program that had not won a league game in four years. Teaching PE, health, and drivers' education, in his 16 years, Fred's football teams compiled a 91-51-2 record which included four league championships. He was most proud that forty-two of his players went to college on football scholarships. He was also coach of the San Ramon wrestling team which was North State Champions in 1965 and the golf team which was North Coast Champion in 1975. To hundreds of former San Ramon High athletes and students, Fred's name is still "Coach".

When his coaching career ended, Fred went into real estate, transitioning to helping adults with developmental disabilities. Fred co-founded the Mission Hope Day Program, which annually serves over 450 clients supporting Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in their communities and remained active in the business until retirement.

Business interests took second place to being a very active grandparent to Bartlett, Sumner and Glynnis. His focus was on all their activities with special "Grandpa Day" trips, education of all three, teaching them how to drive and enjoyed traveling all over the state and country for football games. Fred was an avid golfer and member of Castlewood Country Club for many years, was a member of the SIRS (Sons in Retirement) and participated in countless golf outings. Fred was honored to be inducted into two sports Hall of Fame: the Shafter High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Tri-Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years- Dorothy, his two children, The Honorable Guy Houston (Ingeborg) and Eric Houston (Christine), both of San Ramon, Ca. and three grandchildren, Bartlett (Caitlyn) Houston, Sumner Houston and Glynnis Rose Houston and also his great-granddaughter Parker Jean (Houston).

Funeral Services will be held at 10AM on January 27th at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Pleasanton, followed by a graveside service then a reception and celebration of Fred's life at Castlewood Country Club, Pleasanton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Fred Houston Memorial Scholarship, Shafter High School., c/o Shafter High School Athletic Department, 526 Mannel Avenue, Shafter, Ca. 93263

Tags: veteran, teacher/educator, sports