Jimmy LeRoy Houchins

There will be a private family Celebration of Life Service for Jimmy Houchins, age 81, of Arnolds Park. Jimmy passed away July 3, 2016 at his home in Arnolds Park. Jimmy LeRoy Houchins, the son of Fern L. (Hachmeister) and LeRoy A. Houchins, was born January 17, 1935 in Arnolds Park, Iowa. After graduating from Spirit Lake High School, he received his Bachelors Degree at the University of Iowa. Jim also served his country in the United States Army. On June 13, 1959, Jim was united in marriage to Nancy Peterson. Jim taught English in Ogden, Iowa for many years and also was the girls athletic coach, coaching basketball, softball and track. After Jim retired in 1996, he and Nancy moved to Arnolds Park, Iowa. Jim was an avid Hawkeye fan, loved his dogs and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. His greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren. Jim passed away July 3, 2016 at his home in Arnolds Park at eighty-one years of age. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Houchins of Arnolds Park; daughter, Laura Mendez and her husband, Gerald, of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Houchins of Rochester, Minnesota; grandsons, Mitchell Houchins, Isaac, Javier and Luke Mendez; many other family and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his son, Michael; parents, Fern and LeRoy Houchins and sister, Cheryl L. Seiler.