The family will receive friends from 11:00-2:00 pm on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Parkway Funeral Home, Ridgeland, Mississippi.
James was born in Boone, North Carolina on Tuesday, July 4, 1972.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Wade Houck Sr., and dad, Richard F. Willard, his grandparents, Dallas Sturgill & Georgia K. Sturgill, and Wade & Susan Houck. Also, an Uncle, Van Sturgill, and his father-in-law, Charles R. Kelley, who thought of James as his own son.
James is survived by his “One Love”, his wife, Randa King Houck, his mother, Linda Houck Willard, a sister, Georgia Celeste Stover and his niece and nephew, Morgan and Drake Stover.
James was a compassionate, caring, and loving individual, who was always mentoring family and friends. He loved to fish and was an avid hunter at Old River Hunting Club on Kings Point Island. Attending Mississippi College, he fulfilled a lifelong dream as a defensive lineman and was a proud member of the 1997 American Southwest Conference Championship team. Music played a big role in James’ life. His favorite pastime was following Widespread Panic, his favorite band, around the country. This allowed him to share his passion of music with friends, both old & new. James started working for Hederman Brothers Printing in 2005, where he was a quick study and an extremely hard worker. He had a tremendous heart and cared about everyone he worked with. James would frequently tell his coworkers “he was living the dream” and “don’t hurt your head over it” – that was his way of letting everyone know he had it handled. He also founded the Hederman Brothers Dragon Boat team in 2011 and served as its Captain from 2011 to 2017. Anyone who knew James, knew he was “One” of a kind. His smile lit up the room and he had a heart of gold. He never met a stranger and his love was widespread….We are all “Better Off” for knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Goodpeople Tunes for Tots, 400 Foundry Street, Athens, GA 30601 or Memorials can be made to the James Wade Houck Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058.
