John C Houck

John “Jack” Houck never met a stranger! He was born on September 29, 1926 in Berwick, Pennsylvania to Emmaline (Marr) and John Clair Houck. He was a devoted older brother to Charles (Chuck) and Douglas (Doug). Some of his fondest childhood memories were sleigh rides, hunting and fishing, visiting the Bloomsburg Fair and summer vacations at Newton Lake. He also enjoyed spending time with his own family and Aunts, Uncles and cousins at the Family Cottage in Forks, Pennsylvania. John was a dedicated patriot. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Guard when he was 15 years old. When he was 17 years old, he enlisted in the U.S Marine Corps. He completed his Basic Training at Paris Island and fought in the Pacific during World War II. He was wounded on Iwo Jima for which he received a Purple Heart. John completed his service in the Marine Corps in 1946. After receiving his degree in Forestry from Penn State College (now Penn State University) in 1950, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the newly formed U.S. Air Force. In 1949, he married the love of his life Norma Jean Mausteller. Together they raised six children and lived in 12 different states including many years in Germany. He proudly served our country until 1970 including a year in Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. After retiring from the Air Force, John taught 7th Grade Science and was a Youth Counselor in Central Florida. John had a big heart and loved helping others whenever possible. In Viet Nam, he visited Orphanages. One of the many random acts of kindness John and his wife practiced regularly was handing out “Blessing Bags” to the homeless. John’s outgoing personality made a lasting impression on everyone he met and he had friends all over the world. John and Norma Jean became involved with Youth for Understanding in 1978 when they became a HOST Family for their first of many International Exchange Students. John and Norma Jean also became volunteer Area Representatives for YFU and over the next 30 years found host families / homes in the Central Florida area for more than 300 students from around the world. Their home hosted many, many Pool parties and Barbeques for the students and their Host Families. For more than two decades John and Norma Jean lovingly filled thousands of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Their passion for providing children all over the World with a shoebox full of toys, hygiene products, crafts, etc. and the Story of Jesus was contagious. They soon had their church, Aloma United Methodist Church, also filling shoeboxes every Fall. John was a gifted storyteller and had a very keen sense of humor. He thoroughly enjoyed making others laugh sometimes at his own expense. He also loved to dance, whistle, nap, play golf and volunteer at their church & with the Boy Scouts. Together John and Norma Jean enjoyed cruising, traveling and volunteering in many different ways. His church work was extensive including being a Church Trustee and supporting Mission work. For many years he was also the President of the Goldenrod Civic Club. Left to cherish his memory are those who were blessed to call him Dad: Larry, Nancy, Linda, Steve, Lori, Kevin, Pam, Melissa, Pieter, Mindy, Luis and his extended family of International Students. John was an extraordinary Poppie/ Pops to 12 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and many International Grandchildren. John’s beloved wife of 67 years entered Heaven’s Gates on March 23, 2017. Donations can be made in John’s memory to the Central Florida Make A Wish Foundation.