Where I Stand — Brian Greenspun: Gentleman turns 80

Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 | 9:03 a.m.

THE PARTY went way past everybody's bedtime.

But the guest of honor, John Kell Houssels, wouldn't leave. That's because a man turns 80 just once, if he is lucky, and Kell was not about to miss a minute of his surprise birthday celebration.

Myra and I went with my mother, Barbara, who has been a friend of the family for more years than she is willing to admit. As for me, I am also one of those people in this town who have known Kell for almost half a century. Admittedly, the early years of our acquaintance was on a "yes, Mr. Houssels, no, Mr. Houssels" basis but it has been, certainly from my perspective, a relationship of great respect and admiration for one of the real gems of Las Vegas society and the gaming community.

I suppose we were there for another reason, too. Other than Kell and Nancy's youngest kids, Eric and Kelly, who are my daughter's age, Myra and I brought down the average age of those in attendance substantially.

The real treat, of course, was being able to visit with Kell and Nancy's friends who, for the most part, formed the basis of the Las Vegas social and business community from its earliest days. That's because the Houssels family have been residents of the Las Vegas community for most of Kell's life and have been a vital and integral part of every facet of our city.

There was a time in our town when a person's word was his bond. Multiple-page written contracts were superfluous to a man's promise and knowing right from wrong never entailed any shade of gray. In short, it was a simpler time when protecting yourself at all times was a boxing term, not a part of ordinary business dealings.

That's the way Kell's father, J.K., did business and that's the way he raised his son. And the lesson stuck.

I realize as people get older it gets harder to have a well-attended party because the actuarial tables seem to interfere with the aging guest list. With a few notable exceptions, that was not the case at Kell's party. It seemed like a cast of hundreds filled the ballroom at the Four Seasons Wednesday night to share in the joy of our newest octogenarian. That is either a tribute to the Houssels for keeping their friends young and active or a sign of newer and better times when 80 years is just the beginning of a better future.

There were the obligatory videos and live remarks that have become the hallmark of parties celebrating longevity. But the real treats were the words of friends and family, the people who know Kell best and the people whose own lives and community projects have been bettered because of what the Housells have brought to the table.

I know I am remiss in not getting out very much anymore but that made it so much better to be able to visit with people like Eve and Bob Maheu, Vicki and Frank Fertitta, Mary and Fred Smith and two of my favorite people, Bonnie and Dick Bryan. And there were dozens more "old timers" just like them who showed up to pay respects to one of the real gentlemen of Las Vegas.

Of course, the night centered on Kell's "habits," which he acquired honestly from his father, that included a love for and complete lack of knowledge about the horses. From a very young age, Kell loved the ponies so you would think over the span of 80 years he would have learned something about them.

I have personal knowledge of his total lack of talent when it comes to picking the horses that get to go to the winner's circle following a race, an education for which I have paid dearly at the racetrack in Del Mar. But I didn't need to share that with the partygoers.

Maynard Sloate did that. And he was unmerciful in his criticism of a man who has dedicated himself to the Racing Form and the jockey's room. So much so that you'd think Maynard was a full partner in the years and years of losses!

And when it came to picking on the birthday boy, there was no shortage of volunteers. Most of them were family! Whether it was Josh recalling the trials and tribulations of a misspent youth -- under the tutelage of his father -- or Eric, who recounted the many ways he and his dad could waste an entire day -- except for the enviable part about their being together all the time -- the stories were all the same. And they were not kind. But, they were all loving and respectful.

The evening finally drew to a close with Phyllis McGuire singing "Happy Birthday" and the incredible Nancy narrating her way through a wonderful walk down memory lane.

The guests still didn't want to leave because Ray Anthony and his orchestra were still playing those wonderful big band sounds we don't hear enough of today. But as Myra and I were saying goodbye to Kell and Nancy, it dawned on me why I was really there.

You see, until this party, I didn't know that the man I had grown up admiring so much for so many years shared a birthday with, you guessed it, me. And, since I had a choice about how I would spend my own birthday, I chose to be with Mr. Houssels. (That way I didn't have to spring for the party and I already had a great guest list!)

The next time, though, when it is my time to celebrate my 80th, I will choose to spend it exactly the same way. And it would please me greatly to know that Kell and Nancy Houssels will be at the head of the guest list.