Jim and Judy Houghton’s son David passed away while home for the holidays, and they gave us permission to post his obituary as a tribute to his life.
David Houghton, 32, of Iowa City, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep Saturday morning, December 28th, 2013.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 4th at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Visitation will be held Friday, January 3rd from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. Memorials may be directed in David’s name to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, P.O. Box 10704, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410 or to the Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68134.
David was born in Iowa City on February 3, 1981, the son of Jim and Judy Houghton. He was halfway finished with law school at Creighton University in Omaha with plans to work with Jim in his law practice. He graduated from City High School in 1999 and had a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in philosophy from the University of Iowa.
David was tender-hearted and compassionate with an easy grin and a wry sense of humor. He deeply valued family, including long time girlfriend, Allie Brunn, of Cedar Rapids. His beloved chihuahuas, Gizmo and Halle accompanied him everywhere. David loved to spend time at the family “home away from home” in Door County, Wisconsin, and working on “special modifications” to his car and motorcycle. He was passionate about photography, rescue animals, cooking a new recipe, and World War II, particularly the veterans. He loved to send handwritten notes to people.
Winning the state doubles tennis title with cousin Jon Houghton, as well as the team title at City High in 1999 was a thrill for him. David carried a persevering spirit into all of life’s adventures; from flying model helicopters, to exploring new places, to studying law, and to all the smaller adventures in between.
David is survived by his parents, Jim and Judy Houghton, his grandmother, Joan Houghton, his grandparents, Calvin and Betty Lavely, his two sisters, Laura Houghton and Heather Houghton, all from Iowa City, Allie Brunn of Cedar Rapids, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
David is preceded in death by his grandfather, Clark “Bud” Houghton.