James "Jim" A. Houston
November 19, 1942 ~ June 27, 2019
Jim Houston of Oakton, Virginia passed away peacefully on June 27, 2019. He was the beloved son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James W. Houston of Cynthiana, Kentucky and brother of the late Donna Kay Stroub. He graduated from Harrison County High School in 1960. Jim received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University. He joined the Army through the ROTC program in 1964. Jim served overseas in Korea, Germany, France and Vietnam. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987 and worked in the private sector as a government consultant until 2007.
Jim was a devoted member of The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. He travelled to Nicaragua ten times to build homes on mission trips during 2010-2018. Jim was an avid fan of University of Kentucky basketball and James Madison High School sports (Vienna, VA).
He married the late Constance Louise Mumford of Selbyville, Delaware in 1967. Jim is survived by his daughter, Ashlie Houston Strackbein (Steve Strackbein) and granddaughters Avery, Caitlyn and Sloane Strackbein. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, brother-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jim's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday July 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA on Wednesday July 3 at 11 a.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, Box 411, Vienna, VA 22183
https://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org or Army Emergency Relief, Attention: Donations
2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, 13th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202
https://www.aerhq.org/Donate
Jim was a devoted member of The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. He travelled to Nicaragua ten times to build homes on mission trips during 2010-2018. Jim was an avid fan of University of Kentucky basketball and James Madison High School sports (Vienna, VA).
He married the late Constance Louise Mumford of Selbyville, Delaware in 1967. Jim is survived by his daughter, Ashlie Houston Strackbein (Steve Strackbein) and granddaughters Avery, Caitlyn and Sloane Strackbein. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, brother-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jim's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday July 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA on Wednesday July 3 at 11 a.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, Box 411, Vienna, VA 22183
https://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org or Army Emergency Relief, Attention: Donations
2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, 13th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202
https://www.aerhq.org/Donate
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Went to high school with Jim. He was a great guy and friend. He will be missed. ?
Ashlie and Family — Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times. I will always remember Jim as the most humble, selfless servant I’ve ever had the privilege to know — he served the Vienna community and the world faithfully “in the trenches” — doing the hard work and wanting no credit for it. I was blessed that he was an anchor in my Greater Vienna Optimist Club family — he made all of us better servants. Grace & Wisdom
I always knew, at every Madison sporting event, Jim would be there cheering on his Warhawks. What a special, special soul. Vienna is a better place because of Jim Houston. julie and Bobby Robeson
I remember Jim and his family as friends in our home town. He was around while I was in ROTC at EKU. I liked him. Mike Fryman Cynthiana, KY
Jim and I served together, attended Eastern Kentucky U together and shared more than a view beers together. Our condolences to the family.