HOUSTON, JAMES G.

Houston, James Guilford, December 21, 1918 – October 7, 2012 James was born in Winona, Missouri to Dr. Guilford Briscoe Houston and Cora Norton Houston. He graduated from Winona High School May 14, 1937. Joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he served as a “China Marine” in Shanghai’s International Settlement between 1937 and 1940. During World War II, James was a Master Sergeant in the Marine Raider Battalion in the Pacific Theater. In 1945, before the war ended, he met his beloved wife-to-be, Gloria, who was serving at the U.S. Navy’s Weather Central in Washington, D.C. They married shortly after the war ended. Then both attended the U. of Mo. Columbia. They had one daughter, Barbara Ellen. As a member of the MO National Guard Unit at the University of Mo, his unit was activated by President Truman in the Korean War. James then served as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army’s Military Police Unit. At the end of the war, he returned to the U. of Mo and completed his degree in Business Administration and attended Kansas City Law School. He accepted a position with Westinghouse Aerospace Co. in Kansas City. Then with Marguardt-CCI Aerospace Co. in Van Nuys, Ca. before becoming Treasurer and Director of Employee Benefits and Relations. After 30 years of service, he continued as a consultant to the firm for several years retiring to Dana Point, Ca. where he resided until 2004. He then moved to The Covington, a new retirement community in Aliso Viejo. James is survived by beloved wife, Gloria; daughter, Barbara Houston McCain and son-in-law Dr. Dennis E. McCain, Sr., of Modesto, Ca.; three grandchildren, their spouses and children: Sean A. McCain, wife Melissa and great-grandchildren, Ashley and Katie, of El Dorado Hills, CA; Dennis E. McCain, Jr., wife Jennifer, and great-grandchild, Gloria Garton of Cordova, TN; Shannon Alderson, husband Gary and great-grandchildren Kayla, Mason, Clayre and Chloe of Hendersonville, TN. A military burial service was conducted by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps at the new Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, Ca. on October 15, 2012.