Above – David Elias remembers the Houghton family who died in a plan crash on July 7.
It was comforting to have everybody gather to remember my brother and his family. The pain is deep and it will take a while for all of us, but getting together like this is an important step in the healing process. For those that were close, we need to do more of this. I want to experience them, hear their stories, and see their pictures. Continue reading
Above – Ribbons filled out by students as a tribute to Luke and Ryan who perished in a plane crash on July 7.
Students assembled tonight to remember Luke and Ryan by creating ribbons and tying them to the fence in front of the school. I talked to many of their teachers and fellow students. They all had something special to say. Continue reading
Above – Luke and Ryan Houghton who perished with their parents in a plane crash last week.
From 6 – 7 p.m., there will be a gathering at DeLaveaga in the amphitheater, that will include some families from Branciforte Middle School who would like to honor Luke, as well as DeLaveaga staff. Continue reading
Above – Paddle out earlier today as Capitola Jr. Life Guards pay tribute to Luke and Ryan.
Here in this coastal town, when someone is lost, we have what is called a paddle out. Everybody grabs their surf boards and paddles out for a gathering a few hundred yards out. Luke and Ryan were involved in Jr. Life Guards. Continue reading
I was going through photos for the funeral tonight and I came across the photo above. Here we are, camping more than 20 years ago (I’m on the left) when we decided to make soap mohawks. I’m going through thousands of photos but for some reason, even though I thought I put it away, this photo stayed in front of me as I sifted through many stacks of other photos. It was almost like it was trying to remind me of something that I needed to remember about my brother. Continue reading
Words cannot express the profound sense of loss among parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, close associates, and dear friends of David and DeDe Houghton and their sons, Luke and Ryan. All lost their lives suddenly and unexpectedly in a single engine plane crash in Watsonville, Calif., on July 7, 2011. Continue reading
Below is a touching note from Scott Belknap, a close friend of David’s, and how they provided relief after Hurricane Jimena devastated the town of Mulege (Baja, Mexic0).
September 2nd, 2009 the hurricane developed on the west coast of Baja and by the 4th had devastated the town of Mulege. Continue reading
We want to remember the family with photos at the memorial service. Continue reading
Above – Cub Scout & Boy Scout Tribute for Luke and Ryan
Tonight I went to a touching Cub & Boy Scout tribute for the Houghton Family and especially, Luke (12) and Ryan Houghton (10). I was deeply moved to see and hear Luke and Ryan’s courageous young friends get up and talk about my nephews. The loss is still too much to comprehend. Continue reading
Memorial Service for David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton Continue reading
Above – Luke (left) and David (right) on a recent trip to Bonaire.
Today would have been David’s 45 birthday. I was just thinking about him today. He was always so happy and positive. It would take a lot to bum him out, and it didn’t last long. I would love to be more like him. Continue reading
Above – The Houghton Family in Bonaire a few weeks ago (6/19/11)
David’s famous quote, “Let’s go diving.” I couldn’t believe he never got tired of diving, even when the visibility was bad and weather was cold. This warm(er) water photo is significant because it shows Ryan scuba diving (left), something the whole family was waiting for and the ability to take such a picture. Continue reading
This is the most recent family photo we have. Luke is on the left and Ryan is on the right. It’s from a few weeks ago when David was leading of about a trip of about twenty to Bonaire.
I last saw David’s family on father’s day when my family and David’s family celebrated at David’s house on Father’s day. Luke was talking about his recent fencing tournament and how he was able to defeat some grownups even though he is only 12. He was also looking forward to going to space camp in the Alabama. Continue reading
My brother and family died in plane crash on the way to a family vacation at Pine Mountain Lake (Groveland, CA) last night as their plane crashed upon takeoff from the Watsonville airport at about 7:30pm. There were no survivors. Died in the crash: David Houghton, 44, DeDe Houghton, 44, Luke Houghton, 12, Ryan Houghton, 10. We are so very sad at their passing and are struggling to come to grips with what has happened. Continue reading
