My brother and family died in plane crash on the way to a family vacation at Pine Mountain Lake (Groveland, CA) last night as their plane crashed upon takeoff from the Watsonville airport at about 7:30pm. There were no survivors. Died in the crash: David Houghton, 44, DeDe Houghton, 44, Luke Houghton, 12, Ryan Houghton, 10. We are so very sad at their passing and are struggling to come to grips with what has happened.
Above – Family photo from an adventure a few years ago.
HiRez of above photo:
http://www.davidhoughtonfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/HoughtonMex.jpg
UPDATE: 7/8/11 12:30pm: We’re looking for a more up-to-date family shot. The whole family just led a trip to Bonaire a few weeks ago. Please send full resolution photos via yousendit to john at johnhoughton.com. Question came in about which boy is which. Luke is in the green shirt.
CORRECTION: 7/8/11 This post initially listed David’s age as 45. David was going to turn 45 on Monday. He is actually 44.
Update: 7/8/11 9:30pm: Sandi sent in the above picture from Bonaire as David and DeDe enjoy dinner at Captain Don’s. This is from last week. We are VERY happy to have this recent photo. If you have more, please send to john at johnhoughton.com. Thank you. Full resolution photo here: http://www.davidhoughtonfamily.com/images/Bonaire_P6270110.JPG
There are three or four video stories here and some are up-to-date as of a few hours ago:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8239296
Above – David and DeDe in their scuba shop in 2009.
Above – One of my brother’s rough-and-ready
photos from his African Safari with the family.
Above – My late nephews Ryan on left and Luke on right as they play with
their dog “Critter.” Critter wasn’t in the plane and is safe with us.
We are actively reading – please leave comments below. We loved David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan so very much and can’t believe they are gone. Thanks everyone for your love and support.
My husband and three of my four kids spent a wonderful dive vacation with the Houghton family in Bonaire, just a few weeks ago. What memories I will hold dear will be of Luke and Ryan launching themselves off the upper deck of the dive boat into the turquoise waters below, of Ryan’s siting of the ONLY seahorse seen over 6 days of diving, and of Dave’s telling of how he fell love with DeDe after they met…he the SCUBA instructor and she the student. I will treasure the memory of DeDe’s smile and sparkling eyes and how she addressed either son as \Mi amour.\ We had the good fortune of driving around the island of Bonaire on our last day…our \no-fly\ day before heading home. We stopped at an old, hollowed-out stone structure on the leeward, wave-battered side of the island. There, we staged family photos framed by a window overlooking the wild surf. At the end of our island tour, we parted ways as Dave, DeDe and the boys were in search of iguana stew…we weren’t quite that adventurous. When our trip came to an end, and we parted at the airport, we had already made tentative plans to visit them at their vacation home in Baja.
The news of the accident has left me hollow inside. The juxtaposition of the recent memories of the Houghton family in Bonaire with the reality of their passing is almost too much to bear. I am thankful for the time we spent with this amazing, dynamic, loving family. We are better for it.
May God hold your family in his loving arms….There was another tragic plane crash in Demopolis, AL it parellels this tragedy…..These have certainly brought me to tears and affected the nation….Take Care
I’m so sorry to the family for this tragic loss. Dede was always at Delaveaga school helping and always smiling. Her son was a sweet boy and we are still in shock. They were such a wonderful and involved family. My heart goes out to the family and I would like to dedicate: The song (Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton)
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this tragic loss. I never knew your brother or his wife and kids, but I am deeply saddened by what happened. I hope for you the best.
I was shocked when I heard the sad news. I was a dive master for Aqua Safaris from time to time. I will miss them tremendously, especially Dede. My deepest sympathies go out to the families, they will never be forgotten and I always remember what they did for the community.
What great people! Joyful. Good humored. Kind.
It was my pleasure to be Luke’s fencing coach for the past couple years. Luke was a smart, whimsical, mischievous young man whose happy playful nature added so much to our class! One of my favorite images of Luke was this knowing grin he’d wear when being playful… Although he’d try to hide his smile, he’d get this glimmer in his eyes, followed by upturn at the corners of his mouth. He’d play the prank at hand (always something harmless…like pushing my fencing glove away from me with his foil as I reached to retrieve it from the ground…repeatedly). When his prank got fun, his grin would turn into a full-on smile and he would eventually erupt into a laugh that warmed the heart and caused you to laugh in kind!
Although I didn’t know DeDe well, anyone who spent 15 minutes speaking with her probably heard her laugh too. I always kind of felt Luke’s laugh was a kind of echo of his mom’s.
So much more I could write… about how rock solid David seemed. About Luke’s willingness to dirty up his fencing uniform, yet , at the end of class, spend 15 minutes carefully folding and packing it away with amazingly deliberate fastidiousness. About how quickly he learned and what a joy it was to be his coach. I didn’t know Ryan, but sometimes the family (including Critter!) would come to collect Luke from class en route to the next adventure of the day, and it was always pleasant to see what a strong and happy group they were.
They were a wonderful, wonderful family in so many ways, and I remain shocked and saddened by their passing.
Hi-
Your brother and sister-in-law were lovely to have as customers every year in the AT&T Yellow Pages for Santa Cruz County, and were great to visit with while discussing their businesses that they were both so passionate about. It was a pleasure to handle their accounts over the years, and I will miss them as customers. You and your family are in my prayers.
Virginia Maxwell
AT&T Advertising Solutions-Watsonville Office
831-768-3850
We were so fortunate to get to know the Houghtons. Luke was in Jose Quevedo and my advisory class. Luke loved to talk about the books he was reading, although he preferred to read them. He also introduced us to a website where he was doing computer programming. Luke and I have many conversations where he shared his thoughts on the uselessness of spelling lessons. At the end, I have to admit he made a lot of sense! My favorite Luke story is when someone stole his copy of Moby Dick. He showed up in the office with a student in tow. The student looked very uncomfortable and Luke introduced us to him as \the suspect\. Sure enough, the student had taken Luke’s book, and showed some remorse. Luke was an exceptional human being and we will miss him very much. His parents, although I only met them a few times, were incredibly supportive of their children and school. My heart goes to the extended family as they come to the terms with this horrible loss.
We will be thinking of you and ways to keep the memory of the Houghtons alive.
I worked with Dee Dee very closely for about 2 1/2 years upstairs in AquaSafaris. I found out early friday morning, and I am shocked. I hold in my heart that they remain together in the spirit world and find ease and grace in their passage during the biggest trip of our lifetime. Kindness, fun, enthusiastic, motivated, multi task professional, genuinely interested, power woman describes some of what I experienced with Dee Dee. One of my favorite memories of David was seeing him at \Day on the Beach\ with the special needs children as he helped them dive into the rough waters of the bay. He gave everything of himself to the children. I will miss them all dearly. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help with the process. Kindly, Maitreya
Our deepest condolences are with your family. We were so saddened to hear of such a tragic loss….words will not soften this but hopefully your treasured memories will.
No words can express how deeply sorry I am for your family.
My deepest condolences to all the family and close friends of the Houghton family. I hold dear my memories of a wonderful dive trip to Fiji and New Zealand in 2002, we had 5 children under the age of 5 on the trip!!! DeDe witnessed our son, Carson, taking his first steps in Fiji. They lived life with such zest, if we ran into them around town we were always greeted with warmth, hugs, and smiles. I am going to look through my photos of that trip and hold the memories close. My prayers to all the family and friends of this amazing family.
I am in complete shock and so very sad. I just emailed DeDe this morning and then came across the news this afternoon. The Houghton family will always be in my heart. And my heart goes out to their family. I am so sorry. They will be painfully missed but fondly remembered always.
I met Dave at UCSC through the diving program. The friends I made through that program and their families have become some of my oldest and dearest friends, all of us united by our love of the ocean and the joy we experience underwater. I can still hear Dave saying “Let’s go diving!” – ready for the next dive, the next adventure. DeDe was so very warm, with a lovely smile and easy going nature. They hosted a group of us for dinner the night before they left for Bali, relaxed and chatting throughout the evening with no sign of stress about the long trip ahead. DeDe said, “No big deal. We do so many trips we’re pretty much always packed and ready.”
This is a family who really lived their lives, at the same time giving others confidence to try new things and share the adventure. They made the lives of those who knew them better. I hope whatever comes next is filled with clear water, blue skies…and more adventures.
- Judy
I am still in tearful shock over the Houghtons. They have warmly welcomed me on at least three trips–Dede being my fun roommate in Africa. I shall never forget their enthusiasm, laughter, and love of adventure travel. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will miss them tremendously. Dave’s glorious smile will be remembered by all of us.
I was Luke’s kindergarten teacher. He was such a precious human being and taught me so much about being a teacher, and eventually about being a mother. I always felt that he and my son were from the same tribe, and today when showing him a picture of Luke wearing my sun hat, he asked, \Is that me, mama?\ It’s true, they look so much alike..
DeDe always brought a loving and encouraging spirit to all we did together and I will miss her so much. David was compassionate an courageous. Both of them had an unusual integrity. Thank you beautiful family for all you have shared and taught me. Much love to all their friends and family…
Dear John, our hearts go out to you and the entire family in your time of sorrow.
David was like a little brother to me. I knew him for over 20 years. He always greeted me with a big smile and a giant hug, and he always had kind words of support. He lived with passion, and was genuinely interested in the welfare of others. We will forever miss him.
Hold tight to his memories for comfort, lean on your friends for strength, and always remember how much we all loved him.
Basia & Nick
John, thank you so much for this wonderful site. I am De De’s aunt, Linda,s sister. In reading all you have written about David, I have come to realize how little I actually knew him. I didn’t necessarily need to know so much more, I loved him from the first time De De brought him to my home. The four of them were so absolutely loved by everyone they ever met. I am so sorry John, I can only imagine how your heart is broken. The wonder of it all is that his life was such an extreme reality, nothing simple. I know how proud you are of him! God Blessed us all. Dona B.
I am so sorry John, this is just awful. I am in shock, sad day to hear this.
I have used Aqua Safaris for the last few years and really enjoyed talking to David and DeDe, what wonderful people, and the shop had by far the best customer service ever.
DeDe got me all set up for my first dive and every penny I have spent on dive gear was at Auqua Safaris. I am so sad to hear of this great loss of David, DeDe, and the boys. Its just isnt fair.
I hope the shop will continue on in their honor, and give people a place to remember them and support their dive legacy here in Santa Cruz.
Sayings about life being short and precious really hit hard with tragedies like losing the Houghtons. I’ll remember them well in connection with school as devoted and very involved parents. We had sons in the same grades as Luke and Ryan and their family was a loving, caring foursome. My son, Alejandro, remembers the great Halloween parties at their house and a birthday party for Luke at SLV pool where all of the guests got to try out scuba diving. The pictures of their adventures show they did a lot of living in their short time with us. Condolences to their family and friends in this time of grief.
The Coronas – Jessica, Pedro, Dante, Alejandro, & Mateo
I’ve been thinking about your brother and his family since I heard this news. Such a tragic loss for our world. If David had Mr. Newell at SCHS I’m guessing the book about positive thinking that David read was “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. It was a great book! I am so very sorry for your loss.
Our family is driving across country right now, and we miss being close to our Santa Cruz friends and dive community. This trauma reminds us all to live the adventure of life fully, and to share that adventure kindly. Our son Rowan was looking forward to diving with Luke and Ryan in Bonaire, but the timing couldn’t quite work out. Our next gen blue warriors will need to live all the more for the ocean, picking up with joy where their missing friends left off…
Dear John
How do I began to write How Sad and Sorry I am for your family . I only New David and DeDe a short period of time. They gave me a chance and support to start my own business . They were the sweetest most giving people ever ! Im so great full they gave me this opportunity . This all seems like a bad dream, I saw them everyday just about and I feel as if Im waiting for them to show up . There is such a empty feeling such a question mark . I really can not understand why this all happened. Im so so sorry for this loss . they will be for ever missed .
Much love
Shell @ Look Salon
Please Call me if there anything you need
Hi,
I came with a group from Tonga and did a presentation on the Houghtons Family shop, unfortunately the shop were very small and i end up just myself and two more did the presentation on the shop with a numbers of clients. Dee Dee were very nice i talk with her and the boys were just running around. The story had hit me hard just thinking of it. It is sad to see a hard working people goes like that. My sympathy goes to the family and those involved. Just a few weeks a go i did send them story about the whales coming to Tonga early than expected……….I am so sorry for the lost John.
I GREW UP IN KING CITY WITH DEDE AND HER BROTHER MITCH. OUR PARENTS KNEW EACH OTHER WELL. I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR THIS. I LOST MY MOM 2 YEARS AGO AND THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. TAKE COMFORT IN THE MEMORIES YOU SHARE AND THE LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THEM. YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS.
There are just no words, only tears. We are so sad to loose our dear friends that are as close as our family. Our heart goes out to all the family, the friends, and the community that has been touched by Dave, DeDe, Luke and Ryan. I’ve put some fun photos of this extraordinary family up at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150243661811284.325562.660391283&l=70045a4859
They were the nicest family and I just can’t believe they are gone my daughter who went to school with Ryan says she’ll always remember the fun she had at all the birthday & halloween parties they were the best! I can’t get over this and I think about them everyday & I stop by Delaveaga often and say a little prayer to Ryan and his family. I hope they are in a better place and they will be missed & always be in our hearts and never forgoten.
Areli & Victoria Lopez
My condolences to the Houghton and Anderson families.
For the past 15 years Dave and Dede have been an integral part of Shared Adventures’ Day on the Beach. The event offers a beach party with ocean sports activities to the special needs community. Through this event, Dave and Dede supported hundreds of disabled children and adults to experience scuba or flotation in the ocean at Cowell’s Beach. They provided these life-changing experiences out of the kindness and joy in their hearts. While my interactions with both Dave and Dede have been brief conversations regarding event planning and logistics, each moment we shared left me feeling inspired by their smiles, genuine kindness, and enthusiasm.
Thank you Dave, Dede, Ryan, and Luke for all the beauty that you continue to bring to the world. This Saturday I will be taking time to remember and honor the Houghton’s at the 19th Annual Day on the Beach, in the setting that I best know them.
Thank you for the opportunity to share. ~ Martha
Dede, David, Luke & Ryan I will miss your smiling faces so much! I will ALWAYS cherish the wonderful memories you have given me over the years. Dede was my closest cousin in age, she always had and always will hold a special place in my heart! I admired her and was proud to be her cousin. Dede was beautiful inside & out. She always wore a smile to go with the twinkle in her eyes! David, such an amazing addition to our family. Luke & Ryan, 2 of the most charismatic boys one will ever know. There is so much I could say, they brought so much joy to our families and the world! Everyone loved to be in their presence. They spread sunshine everywhere! Words cannot express our loss. It is such a tragedy. The memories will live forever and I will always smile when I think of them! Love to you all…..my family and the Houghtons.
So sorry for your loss; what a beautiful family. We travel down to Mulege every October, and would have loved to meet them. Hats off to them for bringing down supplies after the hurricane (Jimena). I was touched at the time by the bush pilots who flew to their aide.
I linked to this from my friend’s FB page, and find my eyes watering to see your incomprehensible loss. Know that many thoughts and prayers are with your family…even from strangers.
Dear John,
Marshall fenced with Luke, and we got to know the Houghton’s enough to know how lovely a family they were, and continue to be in our hearts. DeDe always with her infectious smile, and Luke the serious fencer with a sweet heart.
We will miss them.
Love,
The Carter/Salazar family
I will sincerely miss Ekul and all of his family. Ekul is Luke backwards he liked being called that. I will miss his Halloween parties, birthday parties, basically all of his parties. I will miss fencing with him and having fun with him. I’ll never forget the two birthday parties when we got to launch rockets (even though mine was a dud) and I will never forget Luke’s party when we all got to go scuba diving in a swimming pool. Luke and I were the only two to stay at the bottom of the pool until our air tanks ran out. Whenever I would go to his house I would leave with a cool thing like a flashlight/laser pointer (I love laser pointers). His parents would always help him and me out with whatever we were doing, and they always made the fun times possible. Luke was probably the best at reuniting people who we haven’t seen in a long time, mostly because they didn’t go to B-40 with us anymore. I hope he will continue doing experiments (and making potato cannons) up in the great beyond and throwing outstanding parties with his ancestors and family. I have been in the Dos Alas program with him since kindergarten or first grade and we have had some fun times in the past from shooting bb guns at his house, to having fun with dry ice. I will never forget him for as long as I live. – by Alex Ginella
My heart goes out to all who knew Dave, DeDe, Luke and Ryan. I worked in the dive shop years ago, and was treated like family for all my time there. I was shocked, and am so deeply sad, that this loving family has been taken without a chance for anyone to say goodbye. I am so deeply sorry this loss has come. My prayers are with all who love these kind people.
Our prayers go out to all the family and friends of David, Dede, Luke and Ryan. Dave and Dede were so kind and thoughtful, and they treasured their time with their beautiful family. This is such a tremendous loss that surely has shaken many in our community. It seems that all who knew them felt the same way. My children have been asking when they would be old enough to begin diving with David and Dede, and I am saddened that they will not get to experience that joy. We can only be thankful to have known such a kind and beautiful family, however briefly.
I am heartsick over this devastating news, and extend my deepest condolences to family and friends of the Houghtons… what a loss. My son Shayne recently started fencing with Luke, and I will carry with me for always the memory of Luke’s focused fencing moves, his enthusiasm for his sport… and of course his sweet, sweet face. I had the pleasure of spending 4th of July evening talking with Dave while our boys fenced… hearing of the family’s interests and travels… thinking to myself that this was a family I would really like to get to know better and share adventures with. To the Houghton’s family and close friends, please know how this remarkable family touched the lives of others. I feel all the better for knowing them — no matter how briefly –and will honor their memory by living life passionately and authentically, as they themselves seemed to do.
I am so sad for this loss, and I am so greatful for this family… they really knew how to live and share… This family is an inspiration to all of us… our thoughts and prayers are with David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan, and all those who’s lives have been touched…
The Doering Family…
My deepest condolences to the families; I cannot even begin to imagine the depths of your grief. My husband, Robert, and I knew the Houghtons from the dive shop and went on a dive/camping trip to Baja with them about 8 or 9 years ago. I have only fond and warm memories of all of them. Robert and I used to marvel at how wonderful Dave and DeDe were and found it somehow unbelievable, as in, “Are they for real?” But spending two weeks camping with them and little Luke and Ryan, proved their authenticity. There was no challenge too great for them to handle with grace, humor, and ease. One of my treasured memories of that trip is when Robert and I laid down under a palapa for an afternoon nap. No one knew we were there, but somehow a naked baby Ryan found us, toddled over, laid down between us and fell sound asleep. We could hear Dede calling “RyRy” in the distance, without the slightest bit of anxiety or fear in her voice, despite being right on the shoreline. I haven’t seen any of them for several years so I didn’t really know the boys, but I can honestly say Dave and DeDe were two of the most loving, kind, and generous human beings I have ever met (and I’m not just romanticizing the deceased). The world is a lesser place without them.
While I did not know the family, the tragedy has impacted my soul. My thoughts and prayers are with your families and I pray that you may find some consolation in the wonderful memories that you have. After learning a bit about the family, I know that the world they left behind is better because of how they lived – just ask some of the people in Mulege where their footprints will never fade.
Being a friend to DeDE\s mother, (Linda Anderson), for quiet awhile, I have had the pleasure of knowing DeDe, David , and the boys, and being with them on many family gatherings, ski weekends etc…DeDe always greeted me with a hug, and David with a strong handshake…We will all miss them tremendusly.. What a terrible loss….\JAY\…
Dear Houghton Family,
We were stunned to hear of the tragic accident that took the lives of David, Dede, and their beautiful sons. Such a lovely family taken so suddenly… it’s impossible to imagine the grief of their extended family.
We had the privilege of getting to know David, and then Dede, as fellow dive store owners. They would drop by our dive shop in Sausalito on their way north to go diving, and we appreciated so much that they took the time to stop to visit with us. It was always such a pleasure to spend time with them, whether encountering them at our annual scuba trade show, or during the sales and repair seminars we took together. Always smiling and optimistic, their boundless enthusiasm was infectious. Such an extremely nice family.
Please accept our profound condolences and heartfelt sympathy for your loss. We have found solace in this saying from northwest native american legend: “The stars in the heavens are really holes in the sky, with the light from our loved ones shining their love down upon our every shadow.”
While nothing can fill the void created by the loss of David, Dede, Luke and Ryan, we will all bask in their glow forever…
Earlier today I was at Jade Park in Capitola visiting with some friends and happened to overhear the junior guards end of the session celebration. The junior guard leader shared his memories of Luke and Ryan over the many years they participated in the program and there was a beautiful moment of silence. I personally had a moment of feeling like this family continues to bring the Santa Cruz community closer together. Thank you.
I’ve been thinking about how grief has rippled through the community upon hearing about this tragedy. It’s a powerful emotion, and just sweeps through each of our hearts, leaving us forever changed.
While I only briefly knew the family, their passing has left me deeply saddened. I hold you all close in my heart, and find great comfort in knowing Critter is safe, and there to support you in your loss. Our animal companions can be such comfort to us, as you will be to him. He too, is grieving the loss of his playful friends.
I was so stunned when I realized that this was DeDe’s family. I worked with DeDe at Capitola Elementary, and remember when Luke was born and when DeDe decided to work with Dave at the dive shop. The last time I saw her was a few years after that, and she was very happy with her life and her family. They seemed truly close, loving, and positive. I am so very sad about their loss. My sincere condolences to the family of DeDe, Dave, Luke, and Ryan.
I just heard about the accident and I am so shocked and so sad. I was reading about it in the paper and then my heart sunk when I realized that I knew this family. Luke and then also Ryan used to come to our home daycare when they were little. DeDe was always so sweet and such a loving Mom. They were a close, happy family and seemed to have so much fun together. I always remembered them because they were just so nice and friendly, and adventurous – always scuba diving. My heart goes out to their family.
I live in Anniston ,Alabama about 2 hours drive from where the crash accured that took the lives of the Tutenberg family from Niceville,FL. Both of these events are a part of life that never seem fair and are always hard to understand. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy go out to your family. I hope you all find peace in the coming days.
John and family- I am so very sorry for your loss. I went to high school and played waterpolo. He was a very good friend to me. What a beautiful family he created. All my love, Julie
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August 13, 2011 DeDe’s cousin Greg Balow married Heidi Langenbacher at Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe. De De, David, Luke and Ryan had looked forward to sharing this special day with the family and friends. Greg and Heidi were very drawn to their Houghton family and their adventures in life and love. They shared interests in so many activities and they had planned to take Scuba lessons through Aquasafaris but unfortunately with all of the busy schedules they were not able to do so prior to the fatal plane accident They do plan to get their certifications in the next few weeks and look forward to sharing the beauty and mysteries of the waters that the Houghton family enjoyed so much.
The wedding was on the beach and the water was beautiful and the event special in every way. They exchanged their vows at the arch built by Greg’s father and on each side in honor and memories of the loved Houghton’s four juniper trees were placed. In the sky above were people parasailing and paddle boating and playing on the beach and in the water. The bride made her bouquet out of felt cut flowers and each was centered with a button, pin or other item in memory of a loved one. A shell of DeDe’s was placed in the front center in honor of DeDe, who was very proud of this young couple and their love. DeDe and David were very touched and proud to be a part of their lives and shared times at Sea Ranch and Abalone fishing and feasting.
The music played as Heidi walked in with her father was “Over the Rainbow” by Izzy. This will always have special memories for all of us. When the Best Man Adam Turpen (also a cousin to DeDe) gave his toast to the Bride and Groom he expressed how happy DeDe, David and the boys would have been and that he felt they were there with us all on this special day. They were all in our hearts and thoughts, even to those who had never met this wonderful family. The rememberances shared just represent again the wonderful way our fabulous four touched lives and still have an impact on the present and the future. I thank my family for honoring us all in this way, it was a beautiful day filled with love and my heart is still so full of love for “ALL” and their specialness. I am sure there were alot more guests at this wedding celebration than we could all see. Thank you Greg and Heidi, hugs to you both! Love Aunt Linda
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