James H. Houston

To say Jim and Geneva had friends and loved ones in Terre Haute is an understatement, as there were few, if any places they would go without enjoying the company of and reminiscing with people whom they knew or would soon come to know and become friends.

Jim was indeed a ‘child of the depression’ who believed in hard work, friendships, preparing for the future, a genuine willingness to help others in need, share what he could, when he could, and always returning acts of kindnesses offered or sought. He was fondly known among his countless patrons throughout Vigo County as the ‘one arm rural letter carrier’ from which he retired after 30+ years of service.

Jim and Geneva enjoyed traveling by car throughout much of the U.S. which they frequently were inclined to do, sometimes, to the chagrin of the respective children, with little notice, as their ‘young spirits’ would influence them to do when they wanted, as they wanted.

Through the lens of Jim’s daughter, four sons, their spouses, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and Geneva’s five sons and their families, he consistently exhibited, as he was physically able, a strong sense of loving kindness for Geneva’s care, happiness, and fulfilling her penchant for ‘very hot water for her tea’. These are a few of the many characteristics we admire and shall remember about Jim, our dad, insofar as measuring our own contributory worth, which we are confident will continue long after his untimely passing this past Friday.

A particularly noteworthy characteristic of Jim’s was his strong sense for grasping and practicing ethical paths for most all aspects of his work, life, family, and spirituality and then not shying away from the various ‘life turns’ and responsibilities that came his way, in part because others as well, recognized the importance of that characteristic.

In 1943, mid-WWII, Jim enlisted in and was selected for Naval Aviator training where he graduated first in ‘ground – technical school’ and was first in his class to solo flight. To his everlasting disappointment, all Naval aviator candidates at that time, were honorably mustered out. Jim returned to his hometown of Clinton and immediately enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. He was assigned to the 32d Infantry Division, Luzon, Philippines where he was seriously wounded in combat on May 4, 1945. The lifelong permanence of Jim’s combat injury and emotions associated with close combat, were never exhibited insofar as limiting his ambitions, abilities, and reverent appreciation for those who served in future wars.

To be sure, all members of his family and extended family, the many who knew Jim as a friend or acquaintance, even for a brief time, will, as Jan, Jim, Steve, Randy, and Mike, their children and grandchildren believe, will miss his presence in their lives. Deb, daughter-in-law, coined an apt phrase some years ago which served as a metric during times of challenge and indecision, ‘what would Jim do’!

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 13th, at Thomas Funeral Home, 2200 North 13th Street in Terre Haute with burial immediately following at Roselawn Memorial Park, 7500 North Clinton Road. Please no flowers, instead we ask those inclined, to make a donation to a veteran’s organization of your choice.