James E. Houk

James E. Houk, 97, peacefully passed away with family around on May 16, 2022, just a few hours after learning his grandson had graduated from Notre Dame, a source of great pride.

  Born in Logansport, IN on May 20, 1924. Jim was the son of Edward P. and Florence Houk. He is preceded in death by his three siblings, Betty Jean Gingrich, Richard James Houk and John David Houk. He graduated from Logansport H.S. in 1941 and joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served as a Corpsman attached to the Second Marine Division in the Pacific theater and earned three Battle Stars and a Purple Heart. In 1946 he returned to Logansport and helped run the family retail business, Houk Merchandise.

 He graduated from St. Joseph College in 1952 with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. An avid fisherman, one of his first jobs was working for Heddon Fishing Tackle Company, then based in Dowagiac, MI. In 1963 he went to work for Associates Financial Corp, South Bend, IN where he retired from the Marketing Department in 1990.

 In 1951 he married the great love of his life K. Agnes Worley who survives him. The young couple moved to South Bend and became charter members of St. Anthony Catholic Church. At St. Anthony’s, Jim was active in nearly every ministry and held numerous leadership roles.

 Family was always Jim’s #1 priority. Jim and Agnes were blessed with four children. Margaret “Peggy” (John) Gibney Garver Lake, MI, Patrick (Jennifer) Houk, who predeceased him, Phillip (Lynda) Houk Fort Wayne, IN and Thomas Houk San Diego, CA. He has 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Jim had the amazing record of never missing anyone’s birthday and was a prolific buyer of greeting cards.

A lifelong fan of Notre Dame, he talked about listening to the 1935 Notre Dame Ohio State game on the radio. For many years he and Agnes hosted elaborate Saturday night dinners at their Wayne Street home to celebrate Notre Dame games.

 Jim and Agnes were blessed to travel the world in retirement. Most of those trips were hosted by his beloved brother Dr.  Richard Houk, a well-known geography professor. Also present on many of those trips was brother David Houk.

 Jim was a proud member of DAV Chapter 19, American Legion Post 303, The Izaak Walton League and the Knights of Columbus. In 2019, Jim and Agnes moved to Garver Lake, MI where they have been under the expert and compassionate care of daughter Peggy and her husband John. Jim loved living out his days at the Lake and every day at 5PM was happy hour, and he enjoyed a scotch. He claimed it was the secret to his longevity.

 Special thanks to his loving caregiver from Firefly, Jolanda, & his gentle aid, Alexis & very special nurse, Amanda, both from Elara Caring. All of the ladies were professional, & patient.

Jim will be greatly missed by all those whose lives were touched by his gentleman’s demeanor and generosity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am on Saturday May 21, 2022 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. The funeral will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/c/StPiusXParish or https://www.facebook.com/StPiusGranger/. A visitation will follow the mass from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at the church. Burial will follow the visitation in Fairview Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish, 2310 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615, Elara Caring Hospice (Kalamazoo), 4664 Campus Dr., Suite 101 A, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 and Izaak Walton League of St. Joseph County, 20400 Darden Rd., South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com.

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