HOUGHTALIN, James Joseph

James Joseph Houghtalin died after an extended illness on August 31, 2022 at the age of 58.  James enjoyed meeting and getting to know new people from all aspects of life.  To that goal, he selected work in various parts of the country that included years in Auora, Co certifying the road quality of the Denver airport; Chicago, Il working his way up the corporate ladder;  then on to Dallas, Tx where he designed and managed the building of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform for a telecommunications company (Qtel). 

James returned home to Riverview, Fl to assist in the care of his parents before succumbing to his illness.   He is survived by his mother Carole Yannich McDowell and her husband John; his four brothers Michael, Richard (and his wife Michelle Smoral-Houghtalin), Gary (and his husband Keith Ladd), Thomas (and his husband Matthew Zarrilli); nephew and nieces Chandler and Oliva Houghtalin, Sandra Varn (nee Houghtalin) and Cindy Graff (nee Houghtalin).  He is predeceased by his father Richard Colin Houghtalin; grandparents Louis and Rose Yannich (nee Palumbo); Homer and Veronica Houghtalin (nee Kieslor); his oldest brother Richard Colin Jr (4 months) and his youngest Louis Anthony (24 months).

The family asks that you celebrate his life the way he lived.  James loved to sit outside in the Florida heat and (paradoxically) chill.  In lieu of flowers, take a few minutes to sit by the pool, go to the beach, work in your garden, or visit a favorite hangout spot to reflect on shared memories, and of course, raise a glass to the sky – To James!