James E. "Jim" Houston

Dear Family and Friends, I was born in Cadillac, October 17, 1928 to Esther and Edward (Erickson) Houston. As a young boy I would get pails of drinking water from the local hand pump for many neighbors. The city's water supply came from Lake Cadillac and households were told not to use a screen on their water faucets. It was better to let the blood suckers come through to the sink than die and rot in the screen. From age 15 to my early 40s I drove ambulance for Peterson Funeral Home- on call job. I also was on call for the Cadillac Fire Department for many years. I graduated from Cadillac High School in 1946 and was president of my junior and senior class and captain of the football team. My active duty with the US Army's Corps of Engineer attached to the Air Force was during the Korean Conflict. I truly enjoyed serving the Greater Cadillac Area as retail owner of Henne's Shoe Store for over 35 years before selling the store and retiring in 1982. The two floor shoe store was a fixture on Cadillac's Main Street. First Baptist Church was an integral part of my life as I was an active member over 50 years, serving on many boards and committees. After retirement, I spent my time serving as Treasurer and Trustee of the Clam Lake Township, Treasurer of the Clam Lake DDA District, Member of the Cadillac Wexford Transit, volunteer services with the Wexford County Probate Court and the US Forest Service. My life centered around my loving family, church and people in general. I thoroughly enjoyed hunting and working outdoors. I was always planning one project and one trip ahead and now I am on my final journey. I leave behind, but look forward to seeing again, my loving wife, Luaine; our children: Mary (John) Lane, Janice Houston- Cunningham, Patricia (Dale) Delancey, Thomas (Julie) Houston, Kent (Dayna) Cunningham, Kurt (Connie) Cunningham, Keith (Karen) Cunningham and Kelly (Larry) Millen; 21 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren and my sister, Sally Cox. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Cadillac with Reverend David McMahon officiating. Friends may meet the family Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund or First Baptist church Retirees. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

James E. "Jim" Houston

October 17, 1928 - December 1, 2014