Michael Craig Houser

Michael was born on May 19, 1943 and passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. He was a resident of Vancouver, Washington since 1965. Mike was the eldest of two children, born to Art and Louise Houser in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania - a suburb of Pittsburgh. He moved to the Pacific Northwest after high school to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Mike spent most of his military tour in Port Moller, Alaska at an Early Warning Line radar station. In Spokane, he met and married JoAnne V. Keller in 1963, and together they raised two daughters (Kimberlee Wixom and Tamie Seijas) and one son (Michael Houser). After Joannes death, he married Lori Martin in 2007. Mike is survived by his children, his sister, Marsha Russo, two stepdaughters (Jami Throop and Keeley Merrill), and thirteen grandchildren (Danica Thurber, McKayla and Dakota Wixom, Thomas and Emily Effinger, Chloe and Alaina Houser, Addison and Derek Seijas, Bailee Lopez, Blake Throop, Brady and Dylan Merrill). After being discharged from the military in 1965, Mike started a long and successful career as a traveling salesman, working for Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Company, Taylor Publishing Company selling yearbooks and class rings, and then Whitmans Chocolates which inspired his CB handle, the Candy Man. In 1980, Whitmans recognized Mike for developing a million dollar territory covering Idaho and portions of Washington and Oregon. Mike went on to represent other companies including Pacific Seafood, Delphinas Bakery, and Pasta & Shrooms. He jokingly referred to his last job at Clark County Jail commissary as the best sales job he ever had... with assured customers each day. Mike was a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan, always had the cleanest car on the street, could make a friend anywhere, spent many years bringing joy to Christmas parties and restaurants in the role of Santa, and enjoyed collecting Old West memorabilia. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Michaels name to Swedish Medical Center Foundation - Heart and Vascular Center. Donations can be made at: https://community.swedish.org/donate. Please join Lori and family in celebrating the life of Michael on Sunday, June 10th from 2-4 p.m. at Warehouse 23.

Michael Craig Houser

May 19, 1943 - January 9, 2018