Gary Alan Houghtby

GARY ALAN HOUGHTBY, 82, of Raleigh, passed away Friday March 11, 2016 in Raleigh. He was born January 17, 1934 in Adrian, Michigan raised in Blissfield, MI, fourth child of Earl and Edith Drinkwater Houghtby.

Gary graduated from Blissfield High School in 1951 and from Michigan State University in 1956 with a BS in Microbiology. He then received his Master’s degree from Michigan State University in 1959. Furthering his education he went on to receive his PhD in Food Science\Microbiology in 1964 from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Gary served in the US Army, doing research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, for 2 years.

He worked for the Food and Drug Administration in Seattle, and in Cincinnati, OH, where he certified state milk laboratories in all US states and territories. Gary taught certification courses to state officials, and supervised nation-wide split test sample testing.

After retiring from the FDA, Gary delivered flowers in Raleigh for ten years, which he thoroughly enjoyed, except on Valentine’s Day.

A quiet, gentle man with a wicked sense of humor, Gary was a constant reader, and loved modern jazz.

He liked to travel, loved the beach, and enjoyed gourmet cooking and dining and fine wines. He was owned by many cats during his lifetime.

Gary married Jean Hetherington in 1982 in Batavia, Ohio. Together they remained in Ohio until they moved to Raleigh in 1993.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Harlan Houghtby of Jackson, Mississippi.

Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Jean Hetherington Houghtby; his sister, Florence Houghtby Blankenship of Issaquah, Washington; his brother William Earl Houghtby of North Oaks, Minnesota; a special niece Natalie Houghtby-Haddon of Crystal City, Virginia, and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his pal, Zeke the cat.

The family will receive visitors from 5-7 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 1701 E. Millbrook Rd. Raleigh, NC 27609 Friday March 18, 2016. A Memorial service will be held at 9:30 am Saturday March 19th, at Brown-Wynne Millbrook Rd followed by committal prayers at Oakwood Cemetery Raleigh.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association.