Thomas "Tom" Knute Huston

December 30, 1944 - September 21, 2019

Thomas “Tom” Knute Huston, 74, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away at home surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, September 21, 2019. He leaves behind seven siblings: Dave (Colleen) Huston of Stillwater, MN; Jane Swanson of Rock Creek, MN; Pete (Deanne) Huston of Webster, WI; Carl Jr. (Judy) Huston of Rush City, MN; Cheryl (Gary) Reynolds of Minneapolis, MN; Scott Huston of Rush City, MN; and Laura Kost of Rush City, MN. His six beloved children: Heidi Huston-Meese of Osceola, WI; Tom Miller of Cottage Grove, MN; Enrique Basañes of Waterloo, IA; Shari Huston (Michael Albrecht) of Louisville, KY; Kimberley Huston of Evansdale, IA; and Todd Huston of Cedar Rapids, IA. Also, many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, extended family, as well as his fifteen beloved grandkids. Tom was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Carl and Margaret (Cedarbloom) Huston. He was raised on the Huston family farm in Rush City, MN; where he also attended school. In 1962, immediately following high school graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy and fought in the Vietnam and the Gulf Wars, serving a total of 22 years. During his time in the Navy he was given the nickname “Popeye” by his fellow sailors and rightfully so. Throughout those years he served on a few different ships including: U.S.S. Leonard F. Mason, U.S.S. Decatur, U.S.S. Roanoke, U.S.S. Ajax, & U.S.S. Samuel Gompers. While sailing the Pacific Ocean, he was afforded the wonderful opportunity to visit places such as: Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hawaii, & the Philippines (where he met and married the love of his life, Inocencia Basañes, on January 17, 1975). He started his new family life in San Diego, but as with military life, was eventually relocated to several bases throughout the country and abroad, with the longest homeport being Alameda Naval Air Station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tom studied and obtained a degree in human relations. He was also an intelligence professional with duties such as a radioman third, and a signalman (SM1) with the knowledge of Morse code, spent time as a Master of Arms officer on Treasure Island S.F. & was also a Navy recruiter in Wisconsin Rapids. In 1990, he retired as a petty- officer first-class (PO1). During his time in the Navy he was awarded the following medals: Navy Expeditionary Medals, Navy Humanitarian Service Medals, Sea Service Ribbon with Star, several Good Conduct Awards, and a Purple Heart. In his spare time, he loved to watch sports, (favorites being baseball & college ball) he was a loyal Vikings & Twins fan ‘til the very end. Some of his hobbies were fishing, bowling, and an occasional visit to a nearby casino; of course, none of those would be complete without an ice cold beer and a non-filtered cigarette in his hand. He absolutely loved to write, he could spend hours writing; it didn’t necessarily matter what it was, as long as it was precise and in good order. Last but not least, his greatest joys were had while listening to almost any genre of music; but namely R&B, Oldies but Goodies, Soul, and Classic Rock. (He has definitely passed on his love of music to his children) Tom was quiet and reserved, strict when warranted; but he also liked a good laugh and had a hearty sense of humor under his serious exterior. Tom was loyal and worked hard to provide for his family. He undoubtedly had a heart of gold, and is loved, and will be sorely missed by many. Preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Cindy; and both of his parents. A private service will be held at Ratterman & Sons Funeral and Cremation on Friday, September 27th, 2019. Thomas will receive honors for his military service with customary traditions of the three-volley salute, and flag presentation by the Louisville honor guard. Online condolences can be shared at www.ratterman.com.