Dennis Allan Houchen

Dennis Allan Houchen was born in Van Nuys, CA on April 4, 1946, and left this life on February 20, 2025 at the age of 78.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Karen Louise Houchen, of nearly 59 years of marriage, his two children and their families: Dennisa (Houchen) Cowley, her husband, Doug, and Jason Houchen and his wife, Rene. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, his brother, Larry Houchen, nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt & Doris Houchen, his oldest brother, Ronald Houchen, his sister-in-law, Rita Simmons, and two nephews, Bryan Simmons and Clint Finney.
Dennis was born in Van Nuys, CA to Hoyt and Doris Houchen and was the second of what would eventually be 3 boys. His father was a gospel preacher so, by the age of two, the family had moved to Texas where Dennis spent his growing up years. He went to Florida College in 1964 where he met Karen Duncan and, after graduating FC in 1966, they were married.
After Dennis and Karen were married, they moved to northern California where Dennis attended Humboldt State. He was studying to be a forest ranger but prior to graduation, recognized that potentially being stationed in a remote area would not be a spiritually healthy decision for his wife and future children so he left school and they moved back to Karen's hometown of Columbus, IN. While there, he attended Indiana University and worked at South Central Heating and Plumbing. It was there they had their first child, Dennisa in 1969, and six weeks later, moved to Colorado where Dennis's dad, Hoyt, was working with the church at Boston Street in Aurora. In 1975, their son, Jason, was born. The family lived in Aurora for 19 years before Dennis and Karen moved to Parker in 1998 and have resided in the same house ever since.
Dennis had many different jobs over the years to support the family. At the time of his retirement, he was working as a piping designer for Merrick Engineering firm, a job which he truly enjoyed and at which he excelled.
He retired at 70 years old due to some health issues with his eye. Since then, he had multiple health issues that he struggled with but continued to enjoy life as best he could.
Dennis loved his family, he loved his friends, but most of all, he loved God.
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