Obituary of Richard L. Houghton

RICHARD L. "Dick" HOUGHTON\ Of Clio, age 94, departed life on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at Avalon Hospice from this temporary earthly home, to prayerfully join Betty, his loving wife and partner, in the house the Lord provides for all of us, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.\ Funeral services will be held 11:00am Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 353 E. Vienna Rd., Clio with Rev. Dr. Rodger Gedke and Rev. Robert Burkey officiating. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Clio.\ The family will receive friends at the Miles Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris 2-7pm Sunday and 2-7pm Monday. Tuesday morning he will be taken to church to lie in state from 10am until time of service at 11am. \ In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make and appreciated contribution to the Bethany United Methodist Church Building Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. \ Dick was born in Clio, Michigan on August 29, 1912, the son of Fred M. and Blanche (Davis) Houghton and lived his entire life in Clio. Attended Clio Schools, graduating in 1930, as president of his class. Attended Central Michigan College, and Michigan State University, then joined his father in 1933, in the operation of the Houghton Grain Elevator. Worked with his father in the Grain Elevator until his father passed away in 1948- when he assumed ownership and management of the Elevator until 1981, when he retired and sold the Elevator, making a total of 48 years in operation, management and ownership of the Elevator.\ Dick married Betty Wolcott "the love of his lifea on August 14, 1937 at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, Michigan. They were happily married from August 14, 1937 to her death on January 5, 2001- making sixty-four years of happiness together. Betty and Dick were blessed with two sons, and their sonsa families.\ Son Frederick L. Houghton and wife Gail (Wheatley) Houghton of Hemlock, Michigan.\ Son Robert M. Houghton and wife Sue (Tidball) Houghton of Clio, Michigan.\ Special grandson, Rich Houghton of Okemos, Michigan.\ Special grand daughter Tracy and husband Randy McGuirk.\ And two Great grand daughters, Taylor Irene McGuirk and Lauren Elizabeth McGuirk of Midland, Michigan. \ Special grand daughter Darci and husband Jason Brown. Great grandson Gibson Robert Brown of Midland, Michigan.\ All of the above families survive the Dick, as well as several very close nieces and nephews, and their respective families, and a host of special friends and neighbors.\ Dickas greatest love in life was the love and companionship of wife Betty for all of their sixty-four years together and the tremendous joy and happiness bestowed on both Dick and Betty by their families through out their lives. \ Dick was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty in 2001, father Fred in 1949, mother Blanche in 1961, sister Mildred Frost in 1966 and niece Judith Houghton Frost Ovington in 1997.\ After Glow\ Iad like the memory of me to be a happy one.\ Iad like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done.\ Iad like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,\ Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.\ Iad like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,\ Of happy memories that I leave behind, when day is done.\ \