James William Houck Jr. passed away peacefully just after midnight on January 26th. He was surrounded by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Headlee Houck, his youngest daughter Patricia Dawson and his granddaughter Jessica Washburn.

Born July 4, 1933, Jim was happy to share his birthday with his Mother and celebrate with the rest of the nation in explosions of fireworks for the last 91 years!  "4" was his favorite number and he let everyone know it.

Jim or 'Deja', as his family fondly named him, was always on the go... Natural athleticism enabled swimming, playing tennis, juggling, snow/water skiing, mountain climbing, gymnastics, scuba diving, spelunking, sailing and holding handstands at crazy locations. He also enjoyed building, working, creating, traveling, camping, exercising, entertaining and providing for his family.

As a boy, he attended Hawkeye Trail Camps in the Adirondacks of New York.  Silver Lake held a special place in his heart, so with the help of his father, James William Houck Sr., he built an A-frame cabin and vacationed there with his family in the summer for over 25 years: Sailing, waterskiing, hiking, canoeing, scuba diving, and swimming the 3 mile length of the lake every year...

Jim attended Towson High School and graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with an Education of Industry degree. He was a member of the Gymkana Troupe (a performing group of gymnasts) where he met his wife Barbara. They were married June of '56.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps at Quantico, as an officer  and spent 18 months on Okinawa. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi.

Jim had numerous business ventures throughout his life, always revolving around 'selling'. His career began working in his father's company, J-H Electronic Sales, for 20 years before establishing his own Manufacturer's Rep company. Three of his four children worked in the family business.

A carpenter at heart, he doubled the size of his first and only house by doing all the work himself. He built an outdoor pool with high dive, as well as an indoor pool with a hot tub, so he could keep up with his swimming/exercises.

Jim and his wife vacationed around the world (22 trips) from the time of his retirement in1995 to 2008. Plus, family trips to Jamaica 2008-2016.

A lifetime member of Towson United Methodist Church he worked as an usher and participated in mission trips to rebuild areas affected by devastation. He spearheaded Camp Hope for 13 years, a youth mission to rehabilitate low-income housing.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved father, James William Houck Sr, his mother Mary Elizabeth Brinley Houck and his sister Eleanor (Bet-c) Houck Sammis. Survived by his wife Barbara, brother Frank Houck (Wendy); children - Janet Lynn Kines (Dwight), James William Houck 3rd, Beth Ann Svoboda (Rick), Patricia Lee Dawson (Nick); 8 grandchildren - Stephanie (Eli), Kirby (Nolan), Jessica (Levi), Alan (Leah), Jamie, Adam, Darla, Mallory; 8 great grandchildren - Benjamin, Mikhaila, Harper, Noelle, Payton, Calvin, Duncan and Betsy.

The service for James Houck, Jr. will be held March 1, 2025 at Towson United Methodist Church at 11AM, 501 Hampton Ln. A Celebration of Life immediately following in Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of Flowers donations can be made in Jim Houck's name to the:

University of Maryland College Park Foundation
4603 Calvert Road
College Park, MD 20740
Memo line: Gymkana Fund

Towson United Methodist Church
501 Hampton Lane
Towson MD 21286

Towson High Alumni Association
69 Cedar Avenue
Towson, MD 21286