Former UNLV basketball player Houston dies at 50

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001 | 8:43 a.m.

Toby Houston learned early on that there was life after UNLV basketball -- a good life as a longtime local craps dealer, a successful businessman and a revered mentor to troubled Las Vegas kids.

"He really loved this city, and would go out of his way to do anything for anybody," said Garner Houston, Toby's cousin. "He was a mentor to a lot of people. He especially loved working with kids at places like the local YMCA, showing them there is an alternative to street life and gangs."

John "Toby" Houston, a 6-foot-10 center who in 1970 became the then-tallest basketball player in UNLV history, was killed Sunday in a rollover accident in Utah, after driving one of his daughters to college in Logan. He was 50.

Services for the Las Vegas resident of 32 years, who was manager of Mikey's Big and Tall clothiers at 904 Martin Luther King Blvd., will be 10 a.m. Friday at Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd. Visitation was scheduled 3-7 p.m. today, also in the Palm Chapel. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday in Palm Memorial Park, Northwest.

Houston was among the earliest key building blocks of the so-called "Dynasty in the Desert."

In three seasons, 1970-71 to '72-73, Houston, who wore No. 24, helped lead the Rebels to a 44-36 record, including shocking upset wins over basketball powerhouses Duke, Arizona and Oral Roberts.

Houston played alongside such notables as Booker Washington, Lonnie Wright, Lester Weaver, Bobby Florence, future San Francisco area sportscaster Gary Radunich and future NBA player Odis "Big O" Allison.

"Whether it was playing basketball, working with kids or pursuing his career, Toby was intrigued by every facet of life," said Allison, who played for the Golden State Warriors and today is fixed operations manager for Findlay Toyota.

"Few people knew the humanitarian that Toby was. But he just didn't start that on a whim. As a player, Toby took tremendous care of his teammates. And, in life, he brought something to the table other than athletics."

Garner Houston and Allison said part of Toby's charm was that he was well versed on many subjects and was always ready to jump in with an opinion on everything from fine wines to sports.

Jim Seagrave, vice president of marketing at the Stardust hotel, was a teammate of Houston's in the Las Vegas city recreation league several years ago. He said Houston "was first and foremost a tremendous gentleman and highly respected."

Born Feb. 15, 1951, in Pulaski, Tenn., Houston was raised in Tennesee and later in Des Moines, Iowa, where at Roosevelt High he was an All-America center.

Houston married his high school sweetheart, Karen, who survives him and lives in Las Vegas. The couple came to Las Vegas with their first child following heavy recruiting efforts by UNLV to sign him. As a sophomore, Houston averaged 10 points per game and a team-leading 10.5 rebounds per game.

His statistics did not climb during his last two seasons, as Houston shared center duties with other players. He majored in hotel administration but did not graduate.

After leaving UNLV, Houston, who remained a die-hard fan of the school's basketball program, worked 25 years as a craps dealer at several hotels, including Caesars Palace, the Hard Rock and the Four Queens. Five years ago, he joined his cousin in the clothing business.

In addition to his wife, Houston is survived by three daughters, Angela Houston of Dayton, Ohio, and Caprice Houston-Bey and Mika Houston, both of Las Vegas; one son, Kenji Houston of New Jersey; his mother, Ann Harding of Indianapolis; four sisters, Karen Cottrell and Marguerite Maddox, both of Indianapolis, and Ladye Johnson and Victoria Maddox, both of Pulaski, Tenn.; five brothers, Wilson Harding and William Harding, both of Indiana, Joseph M. Harding of San Mateo, Calif., Marrio Harding of Indianapolis and Chris Harding of Grambling, La.; his caregiver, Haley Houston of Des Moines; and two grandchildren.