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Obituary and life story submitted by the family

B

rian James Hough was born September 16th, 1951 to Jim and Edith Hough in Santa Monica California. He was soon followed by his brother in 1953, after which the young family moved to Grenada Hills, where they expanded with the birth of his sister Leslie in 1965.

He explored all of Southern California for the next 18 years during which he attended Pierce Community College, taking every artistic course available.

He began his Entrepreneurial path with the establishment of Huff and Puff Hauling in 1971, which he took with him when the family moved to Oregon City in 1972.

Brian was always extremely social, making friends where ever he went. This included their neighbor Cassidy Bouts who took him under his wing and taught him construction and woodworking.

Brian Hough with Huff and Puff Hauling, Oregon 1972.

During that same time he was attending Clackamas Community College where he learned to throw pottery and met his friend David Guynes. Together they started Beaver Creek Stoneware in 1973, and Brian used his woodworking knowledge to build the Cow Gallery that became a creative haven in the Oregon City art scene.

In 1976 Brian moved to Sellwood, Oregon and started Illuminated Ceramics and was soon joined by his brother, becoming a founding seller at the Portland Saturday Market. Just like with Beaver Creek Stoneware, Brian built another gallery, the Clay Space, in 1978.

Brian throwing pots at Illuminated Ceramics 1976.

During this time he met Ron Gil, a paraplegic that was to change his life forever. They soon became fast friends and Brian helped Ron build Nagual, a 32-foot trimaran which they finished in 1983. Together they sailed to Costa Rica, where Ron’s health problems took him back to the States, leaving Brian solo sailing for the next two years through the Panama Canal and up to Florida, with an important stop in Cozumel Mexico, where he met Kay Harrison.

Brian and Kay in the Bahamas with Eyes of Blue, 1987.

Kay was on a two week vacation where she chartered his boat for her 30th birthday. They exchanged numbers, and after he delivered Nagual to Florida with a layover in California, he called Kay to pick him up from the airport.

This was the beginning of their romance, during which Brian encouraged Kay to sail through a six month trip in the Bahamas on the very vessel she had first me him on. Sharing each other’s joy for adventure, they soon got married on November 14th, 1987, beginning almost half a century of happiness. They welcomed their son Trevor the following year in 1988.

Brian and Kay’s wedding, 1987.

After returning from their Bahamas cruise, they decided to build their own 45-foot trimaran christened Jammin, a one-of-a-kind work of art. At the same time, he was building Jammin, he was raising a son with the same ideals that Kay and he shared. In 1995 he took his family sailing on Jammin following the same path he had on Nagual in the 80s, returning in 1997.

Jammin at Anchor in Dominica, 2000.

While resupplying for the next trip, his expertise in boat building pulled him into a short stint in Hollywood, where he built reconstructions of the RMS Titanic for the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster “Titanic.” His work on the film will always be immortalized, as the scale model of the stern that he built was dragged down into the depths, while actors watched in his lifeboats.

This provided the funding for the family to once again take to the seas, sailing throughout the Caribbean from 1999 to 2002, before returning to California to put his son in high school. Jammin would continue to be a constant part of his life, even after being wrecked by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. Brian rebuilt her over the next 14 years in Sopchoppy, Florida, and brought her to Oriental in 2018 where she now is owned by the same little boy that grew up on her.

Brian and Kay on Jammin in 2019.

Brian was a self-made man and entrepreneur, never working under another person in his entire life. From Hough and Puff to Illuminated Ceramics to Tradewinds Fine Carpentry, Brian was always finding something that he enjoyed to keep him occupied and importantly, employed as his own boss.

His artistic passion from his younger days never disappeared and was always expanding his knowledge, striving to combine everything he knew together into another project. A true Renaissance man, Brian knew how to do everything and would do it with flair. Constantly having a new project, Brian built beautiful homes, amazing boats, fine cabinets, amazing pottery, and could make any vision into a model.

He was well known for his sense of humor, kindness, and above all, his constant creativity.

Brian and Kay on their dock on Trent Creek.

After moving to Oriental, Brian was a mainstay in the community. Always in conversation with someone at the Tiki Bar, the New Village Brewery, or just on the street, he was always sharing a nugget of wisdom, cracking a joke, or telling a story.

In Oriental he shared his enthusiasm, creativity, and extensive skills in many fields, and was happy to provide his advice and expertise to anyone and everyone.

It was no surprise then that he became the facilities manager at the Old Theater for three years, as just one more way to be a part of the town.

Brain and Eyes of Blue in the Croakers Festival Parade.

Brian passed the morning of August 15th, holding the hands of his family. He is survived by his wife Kay, son Trevor, brother David, and sister Leslie.

A celebration of his life will be held on September 13 at 3p at the New Village Brewery, for those who knew him and wish to pay their respects to him and his amazing life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Old Theater, the Brain Injury Association of America, or a charity of your choice.

Posted Monday August 24, 2026 by Allison DeWeese