GRESHAM, Ore. – Ronald Russell Huston Jr., 82, formerly of Lisbon Falls, passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, in Gresham, Ore.

Born in Lisbon Falls, July 25, 1922, the son of Ronald and Helen (Tukey) Huston, “Russ” graduated from Lisbon High School in 1939, where he was very involved in sports, including skiing, ski jumping and hockey.

He was also active in the Baptist Church Youth Group.

At 18, Russ built his first house and started his career in construction. In December of 1942, he joined the Army Air Force and was assigned to the U.S. 58th Bombardment Wing. He served in India, Tinian and Saipan. Upon his discharge in January of 1946, he returned to Lisbon Falls and resumed his lifelong work in construction.

In 1948, he married Ruth Pierce of Rye Beach, N.H. and they had one daughter, Sandra. Ruth died in 1952.

In 1953, he married Shirley Rioux, of Lisbon Falls, and they had two children, James and Nancy.

He built many local homes, and in 1955, built the M.T. Morse School and eventually the addition to the Lisbon Elementary School. He joined in partnership with his brother, Walter, and as Huston Bros., they built the Midtown Shopping Center and developed Huston Park. Russ was also a brick mason and established Midtown Concrete, specializing in concrete foundations.

He was very active in town affairs and was a Town Selectman for three years in the 1960s. He was a member of the Jaycees, promoting Frontier Days and was a member of the VFW and the Slovak Catholic Association.

He had many personal interests including stamp and coin collecting, model trains and porcelain birds. He cared for his invalid wife for many years and when his health failed, he moved to Oregon, where he spent his last two years with his daughter, Sandi.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; a sister, Katherine Kankainen and her husband, Mauno, of Kingfield; a brother, Carl Huston and his wife, Madelyn, of Lisbon Falls; two daughters, Sandi Huston and her husband, Cary Sund, of Bridal Veil, Ore., and Nancy Enman and her husband, Robert, of Brunswick; son, James, of Topsham; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Richard and his brother, Walter.