Dear Cynthia, It's been so very long since we were in touch. I just found out about the loss of your son today on this website. I send my sincere condolences and my heart goes out to you with this great loss. Daniel and I went to see Mike at this store and we had a great time. I have such fond memories of our few times together with Daniel Kennedy and your dear mother. I couldn't leave a voicemail for you due to a full message center but please do reach out to me at jemsong7@gmail.com. Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you. We're family and I want to stay in touch very much. Jan Maier in MA.

I was a classmate of Mike Van Houten at Georgia Tech and thought of him today when Sir Richard Branson flew into space on his  privately funded venture.  Sir Richard's businesses started very much the way Mike's did as a young man.   I looked Mike up and sadly came upon his obituary.   Mrs. Van Houten, your son had a brilliant mind and a generous spirit.  I am sorry for your loss.

Mike Van Houton was a very cruel grownup.
He abused me for grieving over the death of Superman and calling me a mental patient.
He grabbed my right arm and I was able to break free and banned me from his store.
When I learned that he passed away, my banishment ended.
Last Sunday, I got to visit the store and I blended in with the other customers.
I hope that his mom, ex-wife, his cousin and child would apologize to me. Thank you.

Mike's comic shop was an integral part of Oxford Book Store at Peachtree Battle shopping center in Atlanta for a number of years. He started selling comics at a very early age, around 12, showing a keen business sense from the beginning. He connected naturally with his many customers and stayed up on the latest trends in the ever changing world of comics. He will be missed very much by all those from his Oxford Book Store days and his many customers who frequented his Oxford Comic Shop.

I first met Mike in the 1990s and saw him at odd intervals throughout the years thereafter. Each visit with him was a treat. We had much in common, in particular, comics, and I so much  enjoyed all the conversations I had with him, about that subject and many others. I mourn his passing and the fact those meetings are at an end. My consolation to his loved ones. On a personal note, my father passed away on April 1. It is a cruel date, but then, "April is the cruelest month."

Graveside Service

Cynthia Van Houten

Christine

Mary Louise

H.M. Patterson & Son - Arlington Chapel

Louis Van Houten

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Louis Michael Van Houten III

21 March, 1967 – 1 April, 2021

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

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