James Houston

James Gordon Houston passed away on May 12, 2024, at the age of 86. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 20, 1937, to Vernon Cecil Houston and Ima Ruth Pegram Houston. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Beverly Houston. He is survived by his wife of nearly twenty-five years, Molly McGinnis Houston.

Jim was in the Air Force ROTC in high school. Graduating boot camp after his junior year, and serving in the reserves during his senior year, he entered into active duty upon graduation from Treadwell High School in Memphis. After training in logistics, he served around the world, including Thule AFB, Greenland, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, Incerlik AFB in Turkey, Korat AFB in Thailand, 1141 USAF Special Activities Squadron in Tehran, Iran, and Interservice Nuclear Weapons School at Kirtland AFB where he served as an instructor. He retired after twenty years as a Master Sergeant in Albuquerque. 

After working briefly in the evidence room at the Albuquerque Police Department, he was employed at the US Fish and Wildlife Service for a number of years.

Jim enjoyed taking classes in the Story of New Mexico program at the UNM Continuing Education Department. He volunteered for many years at the Albuquerque Police Department with Cops for Kids and Crime Stoppers. He and Molly also volunteered with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. Jim and Molly enjoyed traveling by car across the United States to visit relatives, and friends at high school reunions, and do a lot of sight-seeing along the way. 

Besides his wife, Molly, he is also survived by a brother, Michael Houston of Memphis, Tennessee, two sons, James M. Houston and Thomas P. Houston (Suzette) both of Albuquerque, stepchildren Kevin Lundquist (Suzanne) of Virginia Beach, VA, Kelly Ann George (Doug) of Arlington, VA; one niece, Alison Fritz (Joe) of Elizabethtown, Indiana; ten grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and eight great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful nurses and caregivers from La Vita Bella VA Home Care, Compassus Home Health Care, Ambercare Hospice Care, and Footprints Home Care, and especially our most beloved caregiver who took such great care of Jim for nearly five years, Lorna Franco.  

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cops for Kids or CASA.  

A memorial service will take place on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at French-Westside.