Karl Herbert Houghton

Karl Herbert Houghton passed away in Mesa, Arizona on Thursday, August 7, 2008. Karl was 96 years old and died from natural causes. He was born September 28, 1911 to Mabel and George Houghton in Salt Lake City, Utah. Karl attended Oregon State University and UCLA where he affiliated with Beta Theta Phi. Upon Graduating from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, he joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant for further medical training. He married Virginia Adams in 1935 and a daughter, Judith Ann was born. The family was stationed in Manila when war with Japan became eminent. The women and children were evacuated to the United States. Karl stayed behind with the Army and in 1942 was captured on Bataan, participated in the Death March, and was imprisoned in POW camps for the duration of World War II. After the war, Capt. Houghton joined the Air Force where he became involved with the Embassy in London and the Atomic Energy Commission. Upon retirement as a full Colonel, he went to work with McDonald Douglas as a medical advisor in the Areospace Program. His second wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death. His survivors include his daughter Judith Jardine (Len) of Mesa, AZ, granddaughters Pam Rheinschild (Rob) of Hailey, Idaho and Tracy Penkoff of Mesa, Arizona, great granddaughters Jessie Penkoff and Royce Rheinschild. A military service will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Monday October 6 at 11:30 AM.