Raymond Huston

Mike (Raymond Michael) Huston, 74, passed away on May 1, 2016 in Casper, Wyoming after a short battle with cancer. He was born January 24, 1942 in Big Spring, Texas to Earl and Agnes Huston.

Mike received his B.S. and M.A. degrees in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University, during which time he met his wife, Peggy Barickman, also a student at ENMU. His other love affair, the one with Wyoming, its mountains and its people, began in 1966 when he was employed at the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston. Two years later he moved to Cheyenne as Chief of Special Services in the Wyoming Department of Health. In 1972 Mike took a position with the Central Wyoming Counseling Center in Casper where he worked for the next 39 years, retiring as Executive Director in 2011.

He was on the leading edge of community mental health, helping to craft its statutory and regulatory foundation, and lobbying relentlessly for the program's funding both locally and statewide. During his tenure as Executive Director, CWCC grew from a handful of employees in a 1500 square foot building to 150 employees in the two building, 74,000 sq. ft. complex on Wilkins Circle. The main building opened in 2001, and the residential substance abuse treatment center was added six years later. The outpatient counseling, substance abuse treatment, school based services, psychiatric rehabilitation program, therapeutic family care program and early childhood intervention projects have improved the lives of countless Wyoming residents.

Mike's passion for helping others was not confined to his work at CWCC. He volunteered his time on many community projects and boards. He was the Past President of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers' Directors Association, WAMHSAC, the Wyoming Medical Center Foundation Board, and the Blue Envelope Health Fund. He also served as Vice Chair of the Governor's Substance Abuse and Violent Crime Board, and the Wyoming Health Resources Network Board. He was a past member of the Governor's Mental Health Planning Council, the Wyoming Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Board of Directors, the Natrona County School District Crises Management Team, the Casper Community Meth Conference Planning Committee, and the Juvenile Planning Committee, among others. He was the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Council of the National Council of Community Mental Health Centers Distinguished Service Award.

Mike was a true lover of the outdoors. In his younger days he was an elk hunter and an amateur rock hound and geologist. He was a master fly fisherman with a special love for the Miracle Mile and Slough Creek. Mike served on the Wyoming Fly Casters Board and as Chair of the Conservation Committee. He also enjoyed wildlife photography, gardening and caring for his cats, including any that showed up on his doorstep. He had a deep love of photographing his grandchildren in their various activities. His unflinching sense of right and wrong and an endless understanding of and compassion for his neighbors and numerous friends will be missed.

Mike is survived by Peggy, his wife of 52 years; two daughters, Debbi Braeger of Salt Lake City, Utah, Brenda (Brian) Bowker of Denver, Colorado; two sisters, Judy (Bob) Grounds of St. Amant, Louisiana and Jackie Hyatt of Henderson, Nevada; his mother, Agnes Bostick of St. Amant, Louisiana; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Huston. At his request, no services will be held. Newcomer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Blue Envelope Health Fund or the Casper Humane Society. Condolences to the family may be posted on CaringBridge.org.

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