"I'm just so glad that Mr. Houtchens & Norma allowed me, Chris, Pat & Scott to hold our band, "Armageddon", jam sessions down in the finished basement back in the early 80's! It must've been awfully loud upstairs! ;-) Thanks..."
In loving memory of
Horace Paul Houtchens, Sr
January 31, 1935 - April 23, 2011
LtCmdr Horace Paul Houtchens, SR. USN RETMiddletown, RI - Horace Paul Houtchens, Sr., 76, Middletown, RI, died on April 23, 2011 at the Heatherwood Nursing and Sub acute Center in Newport.He was the husband of Norma Defoor Houtchens. Born in Harold, TX on January 31, 1935, he was the son of the late Jesse Otis and Thelma Vaughn Houtchens.Mr. Houtchens was a graduate of Texas Tech University, obtaining 2 bachelors degrees, one in mathematics and one in chemistry. He was a Naval Aviator for 26 years, serving during the Viet Nam War and many other duty stations including, before retiring, as an instructor at the Naval War College here in Newport.Besides his wife of 56 years, he is survived by their children, Horace Paul Houtchens Jr. of Warwick, RI, Jocasta Kay Houtchens-Lazo of Middletown, Ralph D. Houtchens of Ohio, Scott Houtchens of Newport, RI, and his last surviving cousin Ellen Giesler of Waco, Texas. He is also survived by his nine grand children Katharine Houtchens Vilardo, Peter Houtchens, Julie Houtchens, Karissa Houtchens, Chloe Lazo, Cory Lazo, Scott Houtchens Jr., Samantha Houtchens and Justice Moore-Houtchens, and two great grandchildren Skyler and Jacoby Vilardo.He was the grandfather of the late Trey and Ashlie Houtchens. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday April 27, 2011 from 6pm to 8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.Burial will be private on Thursday April 28, 2011 at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter, In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Beacon Hospice 529 Main St Suite 101 Charlestown, Ma 02129.
Tributes
"I am shocked to hear such sad news ... LCDR Houtchens was my division officer at the Center for War Gaming, Naval War College, Newport, RI. He was not only brilliant, but knew how to lead men. Through his guidance and direction, I finished a degree at Salve Regina University, going to school nights while "off duty," and went on to finish another BS through Nyack College, an MBA from St. Thomas Aquinas, and a Doctorate through Nova Southeastern University. Were it not for CDR Houtchens, I probably would still be sitting at the piano bar at the Viking Hotel. Norma and Paul both encouraged me to get my first house which I did in Tiverton, RI. Of course I have since moved on from Tiverton and now call Windcrest Texas, a suburb of San Antonio, home. I will miss him ... he was a great leader. Dr. John Laski"
"Aloha JoCasta, In searching for you, I came across this. Please except my sincerest sympathies for the loss of your father. It is hard when those we love pass on. Hold on to the memories and share them often. May God hold your hand and help you to be strong. Love to you and yours, Lei"
"Norma, I was busy and suddenly I was thinking of you and Horace. I googled your names and this is what I found. It has been so long, but we always thought of you as friends, one of our treasures. I know you have had a good life, and it will be hard to go on by yourself. Horace looks just the same as he did 50 years ago. Our address is 13589 FM 2625 East, Waskom. Love you"
"May God Speed and smooth sailing my dear Navy shipmate friend indeed, to you Paul there with your Heavenly Father. I shall miss you and the many shared memories of you and your family that we cherished. Don, Cmdr, USN RET"
"My Dear Pooh Bear, I hope where ever you are now, there are fair winds and blue skies always. I will miss you and will always smile and remember you when ever I see a "TV guide" or see a jet racing across the sky leaving it's white tail in the blue. Take care of Ashlie and Trey, and we will all see you soon. Mom, as always, sends her love. Goodbye for now Daddy, Pussycat"
"With love and sympathy to our sister, Norma, and her family. We pray God will comfort each of you during this difficult time."
"Papa, I love you, I will miss you but take solace in knowing you are now at peace. Please watch over us with Trey and Ashlie. Katie, Alex, Jacoby and Skyler"
"Paul 0 my prayers go out to you and your family dad Pikul"
"Dear Paul, My condolences on the loss of your father. Reading you asking him to kiss your Trey in heaven brought tears to my eyes. My Best, Denise formerly of Marine Acoustics"
"I love you very much and I am sorry you are having to go through this. My prayers are with you and the whole family."
"My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family as you struggle through the grief and sadness. May God bless and comfort you and your family,"
"My prayers are with you and all your family."
"Our prayers and love are with you and your family. Lavonda also sends her love and prayers."
"I have shared my Paul's life for the past 4 years and had an opportunity to spend precious moments with his Dad, Horace. I loved this man the moment I met him. He made me laugh and he had so many wonderful stories to tell about the kids growing up. He raised his family the good old fashioned way and was a true American hero, LCDR. They don't make many men like him anymore. The "Red Baron", fought for this country and let his boys be boys. He was bigger than life to me. I adored him. "Dad", Watch over us all now and protect us. You will always be remembered. Until we meet again........... Love, Linny"
"Dear Pooh-I will always owe you a debt of gratitude for taking me into your family. It was a different world for me and I'll always love you for that. Be at peace. Love, RR#2"
"Love You Dad and I will think of you everyday. Please kiss Trey For me in Heaven."
"My heart and prayers go out to Norma and family."
"Wanda, we love you and are keeping you in our prayers. Love Ned and family."
"NORMA AND FAMILY, WE LOVE YOU AND WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN OUR PRAYERS. LOVE BRENDA AND KIDS"