Jeffrey James Houser

Jeffrey James Houser, 68, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, in Jacksonville after a hard-fought battle with ALS.

Jeff was born on May 15, 1957, in Jacksonville to parents Floyd M. Houser III and Helen Ruth Houser. He was the sixth born of seven children, and from the start he had a gift for people — he knew how to get along with friends, collaborate with strangers, and fill any room with his loud, gregarious, and wholly irresistible spirit.

He attended Assumption, Spring Park, Landon, and Englewood High School. He built a career in the printing industry, retiring from Wells & Drew Printing and Engraving, where he was a manager.

In 2005 Jeff met and married the love of his life artist, Barbara Rothschild. They celebrated their 20th anniversary last May.

As a younger man, Jeff was an adventurer in the truest sense. In one of his most celebrated feats, he climbed onto a bicycle and rode almost across the country to Utah and then by bus — eventually rolling into San Francisco, road-worn and grinning. It was exactly the kind of bold, headlong endeavor that defined him.

Those early years also brought a musical awakening that Jeff carried for the rest of his life. He was immensely proud of the rise of Southern Rock and Roll, and few things stirred him more than his hometown heroes, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. Concerts were a mainstay — loud, joyful, and full of the kind of camaraderie which Jeff was born to embrace.

He had a deep love of history, bird watching, architecture, and cooking. He was curious about everything but especially the natural world around him. He loved to walk, especially with Barbara and their beloved fur baby, Maggie. Like most of the Housers, Jeff was a lifelong fan of the Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jeff will be remembered as a devoted son who gave of himself without reservation to care for his elderly parents in their final years. He loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children, and he was always the first to offer his help to anyone in need. His generosity, steadiness, and quiet strength touched everyone who knew him. He loved life and lived it fully, whatever circumstances it brought.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and brother, Steven Randolph Houser.

Jeff leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Barbara Rothschild; his brothers and sisters: Floyd (Susan), Phillip (Lu Ann), and Robert (Kathryn); Jeanne Cohen (Ron), Becky Augustyniak (Ed); in-laws Linda Houser; Jane Rothschild (partner Stephen Entman); Mike Rothschild; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jeff had a way of making you laugh and loved doing it. Making people laugh was one of the things he loved most. It was his trademark that left a warm lasting impression on everyone he met.

A celebration of Jeff's life will be held March 28 at 11am at: Southside Christian Church, 6755 Atlantic Blvd.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Humane Society, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.