James Thomas Houghton

June 6, 2017 26 Condolences Print Obituary Send Flowers

December 20, 1986 - June 5, 2017

It is with great sadness, the family of James Thomas Houghton announce his sudden passing at the age of 30.

He leaves to mourn his mother Roberta, brother Adam, grandparents Tom and Oni, aunties Donna, Sharon and Karen, uncles Ron, Robbie, and Russell, cousins Paula, Leon, Melissa and Cameron and their families. His special friends Amanda, Kirk, Alex, Paige and Zach and several other friends who loved him dearly and were blessed to have known him. He is predeceased by his father Patrick in 2012.

At James' request, cremation has taken place and there will be no service. He wished that all of his different groups of friends would each gather together to celebrate his life with them and remember him as he was.

Donations in his honour may be made to the Mazankowski Heart Institute U of A or Stollery Children's Hospital U of A.

Special thanks to the U of A Transplant Unit for their care of James over the last 11 years.

  1. Thoughts and most sincere prayers to James’ family. His smiley face and most compassionate heart will be truly missed. Love you always, Jim.
    Auntie Donna

    • Oh Sister…you were with me when this whole thing began 30 years ago..you’ve seen him at his worst and his best..He really loved you too..You know how strong he was is the face of adversity and his determination to live despite his heart failure and how he rose above that transplant and dealt with rejections issues (not always the choices we would have made) but it was his life and no one could be there to protect him all the time..His whole world revovled around the wonder and beauty of this world and his strive to make everyones life better, happier somehow..he really missed his Dad..so I feel some comfort that they are together again…..LOVE YOU TS

      • Love you too Sis. And we were so blessed to have Jimmie as long as we did, even though not nearly long enough in the grand scheme of things. None of us will ever really know how much he endured to keep hanging on, for him and for us. God bless.

    • What he spoke is true lots of love

  2. Hi Roberta, we are so saddened to hear the news of Jimmy’s passing. Just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, Adam and the rest of the family. Jimmy has gone home now to be with his family that he did not have the pleasure of meeting however now that pleasure is being fulfilled. He is and will be dearly loved by his family and never forgotten. God speed Jimmy.

    • Thank you Doran Tootsie…thoughts and prayers deeply appreciated….I know he’s with his Dad and the others…that’s some solace atl east..love you two

  3. Jimmy was an amazing soul. The world is a little darker with him gone. My thoughts are with the family.

    • Thankyou Samantha…truly amazing soul…when your world is dark..remember him…he’ll lighten it abit..

  4. Greatly sorry for your loss. He was a great guy. Greatly missed and will never be forgotten in this life or the next

    • Thankyou..he was a great guy..and a loving son and brother

  5. So sorry for your loss. I did not know James long but the time I did he was an amazing guy with a heart of pure gold. Always trying to make the best out of the worst situations and always smiling and trying to spread cheer. He is loved by many and will be missed and celebrated by us all!!

    • Thankyou for your words of kindness..much appreciated…and amazing he was..

  6. It is never easy to lose a loved one. I cannot imagine the loss of a child. I love you Roberta and Adam. I’ll miss my cousin, but will remember his love of life and amazing laugh. You know how to find me Bert, Adam, uncle Tom,& auntie Oni if you need me. Love you all.

    • Thanks Joan…just keep sending things that make me laugh…I need to try to do that as much as possible right now….I miss his never ending chuckles too…I swear that boy could find some humour in just about every situation….

  7. Keep chasing those rainbows, sweet boy, and send a robin to perch in your Mom’s hand. Your pain has ended and ours has just begun.

    • Thankyou so much for those words Auntie Sharon and Uncle Ron…there are so few yet so many words to describe our Jimmy…remember our little blonde blue-eyed boy with his ear to ear smile..always on a mission…so full of wonder…I miss him so much…but he’s with his Dad now so I’m glad about that…give uncle a hug…God Bless..

  8. We are so sorry for your loss Auntie Bert and Adam, you are in our thoughts and our hearts are with you in this time of sorrow and loss. We will remember Jimmy as the happy goofball he was at our last time together.
    Love Leon, Keagan and family. ❤️

    • And he never stopped being that guy you remember…he still remembered the trip to Mexico with his big cousin Leon..one of the happiest times of his life..thankyou and love to you both

  9. So very sad to hear we have lost such an amazing young man. I will always fondly remember his bright smile as a boy and was grateful to have had a couple chances to speak to him as an adult. Please let me know if there is anything i can do to help in this very difficult time. All my love to you and Adam and of course the rest of the family.

    • Thanks Renee…he was very happy in life when he passed..and he still had a bright smile..he never forgot you and Leslie…lots of fond memories..love you as well
      Bert and Adam

  10. Auntie Bert and cousin Adam
    I am at a loss for words. I know there is nothing for me to say that will make your loss easier but know that I am sending you my love and support. My sincerest condolences for a incredibly great loss. I pray that you and Adam will have strength during this time of loss.
    ” The sun, the moon the darkest sky
    The morning dew reflecting in my eye
    The rising mist,the damped earth
    Are just reminders of what life’s worth ”
    Def Leppard

    I watched a home video not to long ago. It was the Houghton Christmas one…. def leppard in the back ground and baby jimmy in his Jammie’s bouncing to the rhythm…. and that is how I will remember him ?

    ❤️

    • Oh Melissa….I so grateful that you are my neice…we love you to bits….I am happy you have that video…I haven’t seen it for years…and Jimmy didn’t remember it but please do remember him that way…sweet funny bouncy and very happy..he was when he left..will see you I hope…All our love…Auntie Bert and cousin Adam

  11. Laura, my dear friend, Roberta, I can’t tell you how sorry I am for you and Adam as you face another loss in your family. I’m so grateful you have reached out to me and want you to know I am here for you. I’ve replied to you on messenger and hope you see this message. Oh, Bert…… send me a message when you can.

  12. Dearest Roberta;

    So very sorry to hear of James passing. I’ve notified a lot of other family members on your behalf.Fort, Dax, Shane, Doran, Mike, and Gale, have all expressed their sympathy.

    I love you kid! Hang in there!

    • Auntie Sharon M
      we knew this would happen someday…just not that day..too soon…Jim was proud to be a “McMurray” kid and though he he didn’t get to many family gatherings…the ones he did were very happy memories for him…he didn’t realize how many relatives he had…and he had very fond memories of you..Auntie Cat Lady..He had 4 of his own last year….Thankyou so much for everything you do..
      Love from Roberta and Adam

  13. I remember a happy soul. His smile will be missed. I have lots of memories and lots of pictures of some very special times. My thoughts and Love are in my heart always. Love Susan. ❤

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