Huston James

The nation lost another of its few remaining members of the Greatest Generation when Emet Huston James passed away peacefully at home on May 23, 2024. Huston was born September 15, 1924 in Marion, Kentucky to Alfred and Ida (Crider) James. With his older siblings, Wilma and Hayden, Huston spent his early years on his family's farm, attending a one-room schoolhouse and the local Cumberland Presbyterian church. His family moved, as did so many others, to Michigan during the Great Depression to seek better economic opportunities. Settling in Detroit, Huston eventually attended Southwestern High School, graduating in 1942. In 1943, Huston was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. After turning down pilot candidate school at the request of his worried mother, Huston was ironically sent to both gunnery and flight engineering school and became a top-turret gunner and flight engineer in the B-17 Flying Fortress. He was eventually assigned to the 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Mendlesham, England from September 1944 to March 1945 and flew 29 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Upon leaving military service in 1945, Huston attended vocational training to learn auto body repair, a skill at which he became an expert. He immediately put his skills to use in the Fisher Body Division of General Motors where he became the body repair shop foreman. In 1946, Huston met the love of his life, Betty Stevens, at the church they both attended, and they were married in December 1948. This marriage lasted 70 wonderful years until Betty's death in 2019. After eight years at Fisher Body, Huston went to work for Ford Motor Company as a Paint Supervisor, a position in which he designed paint systems for all Ford assembly plants. Even after his retirement in 1980, Ford continued to rely on his expertise, employing him as a contractor on several key projects. Huston loved the Lord and was active in his church, serving on the elder board throughout his adult life. He also served as Sunday School superintendent for many years. Huston and Betty were devoted parents who loved to take trips with their children. Early in their marriage, they traveled to Kentucky to visit family and help his parents. Later they would travel throughout the United States showing their children (and grandchildren, eventually) the history and beautiful places this country has to offer. They enjoyed visiting Europe when their USAF-officer son's assignments made this possible, with Huston wryly commenting that it was especially nice to finally see Germany from the ground instead of from 25,000 feet. Huston and Betty also kept active supporting many of their grandchildren's school and sporting events. Huston is survived by his four children: Carol (Bob) Tylutki, Col (ret) Randal (Cheryl) James, Craig (Wendy) James, and Scott James. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 nieces and a nephew. He will be missed by all, but his family rests confidently in the promise of seeing him again and the knowledge that he has heard "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord he loved and served throughout his life.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to:
Redeeming Grace Church
15700 Leroy St
Southgate, MI 48195
Creation Studies Institute
P.O. Box 666837
Pompano Beach, FL 33066
Or
Michigan Flight Museum
47884 D St.
Belleville, MI 48111