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.
I was so shocked to hear the news about the Houghtons and send my deepest condolences.
I knew DeDe from Branciforte Middle School. She was involved with the Home and School Club and helped with the school’s fundraisers. Even though I didn’t know DeDe very well, I liked her a lot.
I just can’t believe this happened.
I wish peace to your entire family as you grieve.
I work at Delaveaga Elem. and feel blessed to have known the Houghton family. They will be missed dearly. Dede, your smile brightened everyone’s day. What a amazing woman! I will miss Ryan and Luke. They always stood up for what was right at school and I am very proud of both of them. I had not had a chance to meet David, but have heard that he was equally as amazing. My love to the family and God Bless.
For your peace of mind, myself and other medical staff from the hospital were at the plane crash within two minutes. As a pilot and RN, I arrived and made sure that there was no rescue possible. Everything that could have been done, was done. My brother died in a similar plane crash and I understand that there is not much that anyone can say to ease the pain. My heart goes out to all of the family.
Our hearts go out to you and your entire family for your devastating loss. They were loved by everyone who knew them. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We miss them so much, their loss is still incomprehensible.
I did not know the family,but live close to Watsonville Hospital and saw the news on T.V. about this tragic loss.My heart goes out to the family and friends of these beautiful souls!!!May they rest in peace and may their family find peace in time.Prayers to you all,Karen
Dave gave me my first job in the SCUBA industry and was a very important mentor for me. He later certified me as an instructor. I use his teachings now, and share his zest for diving with my students.
Dave, DeDe – you and your family have always meant a lot to me. I will miss you tremendously!
Aaron
I was very sad to hear of this tragic loss. I used to visit their shop when I lived in Santa Cruz. I even remember when DeDe was pregnant. David always had smile and DeDe was very nice every time. My deepest sympathies!
We got to know the Houghton’s through DeLaveaga School. Caia went to school with Luke and says that she will miss him; he was smart and nice. He liked to read. And she is \pretty sure he would have discovered a cure for cancer.\ DeDe was so full of loving, nurturing energy; always willing to lend a hand; kind and open. We will never forget this amazing, inspiring family. We are so very thankful to have known all of them!
What sad and tragic news. I knew DeDe from her dive shop. What a great woman – kind and gentle! She always made me and my daughter feel as if we were part of the family. She will be missed!
I taught David to SCUBA dive when he was 16. Our relationship after that, became like brothers. We both loved diving and both love travel and adventure. Dede was like a sister. His kids were my kids and my kids were his kids. My wife Dotty and I are deeply saddened, and I am sure that Santa Cruz (and life in general) for both of us will never ever be quite the same with them not being an active part of it. I will hold all my memories of my times with that family close. Words that express how deeply I loved that family escape me. I know that they both knew the Lord and that is the comfort that I am holding close.
I was shocked when I heard the news. I was in Aqua Safaris just hours before the crash talking to DeDe. Her sons took arts and crafts lessons from me years ago and we were reminiscing about that. I did not know the family well and I never met David, but I thought DeDe was such a sweet woman who loved her adorable little boys. The only comfort I can find in this senseless tragedy is the knowledge that they led full rich lives doing what they loved. My deepest sympathies go out to the Houghten family.
David and Dede were like family to my husband and I. I’m sure there are many can say that since they were one of the most kind and welcoming couples I’ve known. They always gave us so much love and support. David mentored my husband in so many ways, taught him to be a great dive instructor. Dede was the embodiment of joy. The boys had the most amazing role models and were growing to follow their examples. I know that this turn of events did not go the way that they (or anyone) wanted, but I have always admired their adventuresome spirits and determination to grow and try and explore knew experiences and places…. and I still do.
I will miss you Houghton family… you went too soon. Thanks for all the love and inspiration.
John, if possible please post memorial information.
I crossed paths with David in the environmental world of asbestos.
Talking with him, he seemed to have a lot of irons in the fire and was spinning a lot of plates…but shockingly it was easy for him.
Even when he got a violation for some asbestos work (which technically wasn’t his fault)….he handled it with such a calm grace….I was very impressed.
He always seemed like he wanted to do the right thing.
And when you cross paths with someone like that….a little bit of them rub off on you.
I would talk to him time to time…mostly about work matters, but when the human conversation would kick in….just what a cool guy.
I knew that he loved his family so much. He would speak of them and tell of some new adventure they just had or were going to have.
This was a guy that wanted to experience everything…..and this is what we need in this crazy and uncertain world.
He really was a great example of what a good human being should be.
I hope you and your family are doing ok….on both sides of the veil.
I am so glad I got to cross paths with David. It just doesn’t seem real that this sudden event has come to pass.
Thank you David. I will always remember you.
Hello John, I am an old friend of DeDE’s and I now live in Maui. I saw the news about the plane crash in the Maui paper and could not believe it.
My heart goes out to you and your family John, I worked with DeDe many years ago at Capitola elementary and remember when she decided to quit and follow her dream and open the dive shop. I will always remember her smile and how much she loved her family .
Sending Aloha and Love during this difficult time,
Patricia Covici
I grew up with Dede, though I have not seen her in years, I have such fond memories. I am so sorry for your loss. Dede, David and the boys looked like such a wonderful family and seemed to l ive such a great life. Bless them and my prayers are with you and the family. Teresa
John, I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. David and Dede were wonderfully generous, loving people who always had a smile and a kind word everytime I saw them. My husband and I owned Tropical Sun Tanning nexdoor to the scuba shop for 14 years on Soquel Ave. They were our landlords, our neighbors, and our friends. Ryan and our son were born only a few months apart. They were such dedicated and wonderful parents and lived their lives to the fullest. I just can’t make sense of such a trajedy. They were such a huge part of our community. I would run into Dede and the boys often at Junior Guards events or fairs or other places kids hang out. They will be missed, but not forgotten.
I’m really sorry to hear about the accident. Luke was in the Dos Alas program with me at Delaveaga and Branciforte. He was a great kid who liked reading. I wish that I got to know him better. I thought how great it would be to travel all over the world like he did with this family. He was a quiet, but good-hearted kid. I’m really sorry for your loss. I really wish I got to know him better. We will always remember him.
Lovely and adventurous is what comes to mind when thinking of the Houghton Family.
Helpful and cheerful is what comes to mind when thinking about Dede.
Dedicated is what comes to mind when thinking about David.
Mechanical and scientific is what comes to mind when thinking about Ryan.
Reading is what comes to mind when thinking about Luke.
Passion and travel is the way they lived their lives.
Tragic is the way they left us.
Engulfing sadness is what comes to mind when thinking of the Houghton Family.
Grieving, healing and peace is wished for the Houghton’s extended family and our community.
I am willing to do whatever I can to help, just let me know. Dave and DeDe mean the world to me. I am free all next weekend and will be in the area.
My thoughts and prayers go out to both sides of this family. Dede and her family lived next door to me when they first moved to king city. Dede always seemed to have a smile on her face whenever you would see her. The pictures of her and her family are beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss Debbie Kennefick
I have been speechless all day…..I still am, but I feel compelled to add to the wonderful messages being left about this amazing family. We know DeDe and Ryan through Delaveaga and also through the Scouts. We recently went on the Mom and Me campout and spent some quality time with them. DeDe was an amazing mother, woman and friend. Ryan was adventurous, curious and giving. Our family is trying to organize a candlelight vigil at Delaveaga for Ryan’s class, as all the kids are struggling to understand this tragic event. To the family…my heart is breaking for you and I hope you can feel all the prayers and love that is being sent your way. I have some great photos of Ryan doing archery if you would like them. I am so sorry for your loss and this family will be forever missed……
To the Houghton family,
Luke will be remembered as a delightful youngster who was serious about his studies and an avid reader, with a delightfully wry sense of humor. I enjoyed having him in class at B-40 and am incredulous at reading of this news of his family’s tragedy. Please accept my condolences.
I did not know this family, but am deeply saddened by their sudden loss. My thoughts go out to their family and friends during this difficult time.
I can’t believe this has happened. Dede taught me to dive, she was such a comfort to me in the water, like an angel in a mask. She was an incredibly joyous person, and her sweetness was contagious. I know they had planned on spending more time with all of us in Baja in the coming year, we all looked forward to their presence among us once again. I can’t imagine how the family can cope with such a great loss, my condolences to all who loved them.
I met Dave 20 years ago and immediately admired him. Although he and I were only a couple weeks apart in age, I considered him a role model in many ways. He and his family did so much for the world.
I was always amazed that for many years Dede and Dave volunteered to organize the SCUBA part of Shared Adventures’ Day on the Beach (a program that gives people with disabilities a chance to experience the ocean). Even though Dave was often in the middle of teaching a dive instructor course, and even though this event is really hard work, they’d be there smiling and cheering participants on.
The dive shop that the two nursed along through many challenges provided a conduit for SO many people in our community to discover the profound beauty and joy of the ocean. And they did it in a way that, to me, always felt uniquely beautiful – beyond just being “another dive shop.” From back when the “dive shop” was the front of their house to the current shop, I would visit and love being there and always deeply appreciate what they had created. By bringing all these people to the ocean in the respectful and joyous way they did… I know that they have left a lasting legacy of having helped the ocean. I hope somehow that what they created can in some form be preserved/continued to honor their amazing accomplishment.
With our kids a few years behind Luke and Ryan, Dave and Dede were always so good to our family – with everything from summer camp advice to helping rescue a birthday party for our daughter. But the biggest thing they did for our family happened before we even had kids. We were on a trip in Baja with them, camping on the beach. Luke was just a baby, and they had brought him along. My wife and I were just amazed and inspired that parents could be so together and have such great priorities. It was probably the first time we considered having children. And to top it off, Dave got a big cut and needed stitches, and, true to form, since he was the only one with any medical training, he gave himself stitches right there on the beach!
Or driving back from another trip – his old truck’s electrical system had literally melted. He and I hobbled in the truck back through Mexico towards Santa Cruz, but ran out of daylight (which was an issue since there were of course no headlights) and so we camped on the grass at a gas station in King City. And Dave is laughing and smiling about the whole adventure. The man truly knew how to live life well.
Dave, Dede, Luke, Ryan… I miss you all so much already. I really hope that on the other side we can all get together again and I’ll get to hear you once more say… “Let’s go diving!”
Thank you so much for this blog. It was shocking and gut wrenching to hear about the accident. It’s a comfort to read how the Houghtons touched so many lives. We were acquainted with David and DeDe through Aqua Safaris, but really got to know them and Luke and Ryan on our dive trip with them to Bonaire last month. We all just returned on July 3rd. They were the most amazing family. As others have noted, their zest for life was unmatched and I never heard a negative word from any of them. They were a perfect family role model, loving and fun, and they truly lived life to its fullest. We consider ourselves blessed to have been able to spend that week with them, as they touched our lives as well. I can still hear David enthusiastically saying, “Let’s go diving!” and we will remember their smiles forever.
I have known DeDe and her brother Mitch since we were children at San Antonio Elem School. She was a very sweet soul and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family and may they rest in the arms of the Lord.
We have known David since High School. He was always so nice, fun and full of life. We were stunned to hear the tragic news. Such a beautiful family with a great zest for life. They will be missed. Our heartfelt prayers are with the entire family.
To John and your family & all who knew Dave, DeDe, Luke & Ryan: My heart is broken. I am so sorry for your & all of our loss. They were/are an AMAZING family! My name is Alice and DeDe & David were my friends and dive buddies. We went to to Fiji, Thailand, (the trip Like got his SCUBA certification on) Mexico and the Channel Islands diving & playing together. They’re always so happy, nice and truly kind to everyone. Truly inspiring people. I just cannot use the past tense. I am devastated. I do have pix and video and will contact you directly about that. My sincere symapthy. You are all in my thoughts! With love, Alice
Dave and DeDe, I remember you from the early days of Aqua Safaris in the shed outside your home. I had recently convinced my husband to sign up for scuba classes at Aqua Safaris because I knew you would be the best instructors and your shop would be a hub of the local community sharing a passion for the ocean, diving, and adventure. The only way this tragedy makes sense to me is to know that you were enlightened souls, like angels walking this earth, and you had touched so many lives and brought joy to so many people. Perhaps your work here was done and you were needed somewhere else. We will miss you but we will continue to live life with your love and inspiration in our hearts.
I knew Dave and Dede from back in college and traveled to Mulege, Baja and countless
other dive destinations with the family over the last 20 years. I am shocked and
saddened by the tragedy. Their lives helped to enrichen the lives of so many people. Thank you for the good times.
Dear John and Family,
I first met DeDe and Dave through my sister-in-law Emilia, thier bookkeeper and dear friend. Dave officiated her wedding and DeDe and the boys were always at the showers, birthday gatherings, and family events. I later got to know them very well as DeDe recertified me in SCUBA. I traveled with the entire family to Wakatobi, Fiji and Egypt as well as several local excursions. Their zest for life, loving spirit, and Dave’s amazing ability to take care of everyone and every detail will be forever treasured. My condolonces to your family. Tres Amigas Y Mas <3
I can’t believe they are gone. David, Dede, Luke, and Ryan were the most special people I have ever known. I am so very sorry.
Dear Houghton family,
We are so saddened for you all. We knew David and DeDe over the years as fellow dive shop owners. It was always a pleasure to be with them at events and seminars. We especially remember a fabulous dinner we shared at Zefferellis in Las Vegas, completely over the top with good friends and food. We will remember them with great affection.
What was not to love about the Houghtons? They were always cheerful, helpful, fun, loving, honest, accepting, positive, and caring. I will always miss David’s optimism and larger-than-life smile as well as his playful attempts to convert this vegetarian into an omnivore with his stories of how delicious certain animals were. I can still hear DeDe’s infectious giggle that seemed to start with a little squeak and then rolled into a beautiful laughter. Her eyes would light up and her beauty would shine! It didn’t seem to matter how tired or overwhelmed she was, DeDe’s smile and laughter were omnipresent and contagious. Luke, whom I have called “my other son” since kindergarten, was mischievous and loved to torment me with his stories about how to kill chickens, stuff pigs in the freezer and other crazy stories that he knew would make me squeal. (It was DeDe who gave my child his first hot dog, which he loved! I never let her live that one down.) And of course, when David caught wind of the fun, he would, like Luke, explain in bloody detail how their own pigs named “Lunch” and “Bacon”, among other animals, met their fate. He would relish in my disgust while telling me how he put the family pets into the freezer. And the family’s youngest son, Ryan, like the rest of the clan, was a dynamo bursting with light and laughter. Thee Houghtons will always be an inspiration to me. And even though my heart, and those of my family are broken, I can visualize David and DeDe looking down on us and reminding us to smile. They will forever be in my heart as a reminder to laugh, to love, to seize the day, and to enjoy life. Our family will miss them with profound love and admiration.
We spent so many wonderful afternoons having Ryan come over to our house and play with Zack. They were such good friends and we loved the whole family. Ryan was always cheerful, enthusiastic, and full of ideas and creative games. He was such a warm, loving friend to Zack. We will miss them forever and they will all live on in our hearts. All of the Houghtons showed us so many ways of how to be loving and kind in this world. That is part of their wonderful legacy and everyone will remember them for that.
I remember David approached me in the summer after high school had come and gone.He let me know that he noticed I had not attended graduation ceremonies and that it bothered him.I never forgot that,as we had only attended a couple of shop classes together.He really cared about people around him.
It was amazing to see him progress in life.One day I saw him on a UCSC fire truck patrolling.Next,I saw him starting up his scuba business with an old truck and an ad looking for used scuba gear.The last time I saw him was across the parking lot near the Capitola movie theater,unfolding a baby stroller.
Just wanted to return the kind words.Thanks,David.
Dede, David, Luke, and Ryan,
You both welcomed me into the family with open arms and permanent smiles. It makes me so happy to see all these other friends of yours had the same life experiences with you that we got to share in. Dede, you always had a smile on your face. David, your jokes always surprised me and make me grin even now while writing this. I will miss Luke and Ryan always being excited for everything they did and seeing them do so much together.
Greg and I were so excited with the idea of being certified for SCUBA by you for our honeymoon, and will always be sadden that with the combination of your adventures and ours we were never able to make it down to Santa Cruz this summer. We just have to rejoice in the lives you lived because they were great lives. I hope to feel your presence with us at our wedding.
We love you all.
-Heidi Langenbacher & Greg Balow
I was one of Ryan’s teachers at DeLaveaga. I got to know him and his parents over this last year. I truly can’t believe they are gone. Ryan and DeDe were the last family I met with on the last day of school. I am so sad to think when we wished eachother a happy summer, it would be the last time I would see their smiling faces. I can’t imagine not having Ryan come into my class next year and tell me in detail about something he has learned about or something he brought back on one of their many family adventures. He was such a smart, inquisitive boy, with so much potential! I am happy to hear that Critter is safe with family. My heart goes out to their family and everyone that was touched by the Houghton’s. They were a wonderful family and will truly be missed.
I am grateful beyond words to have known this amazing family.
I have one pictue of DeDe and Luke at fencing. He is not fencing but is in his gear. The picture ia blurry, but it is at fencing. How can I get it to you?
John –
We are also devastated by the loss of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan. My son Alex has been in the Dos Alas program with Luke since Kinder, and Luke, Alex and their good friend Nico Schneiter fence together twice a week. The three of them signed up together and we have always referred to them as the Three Musketeers.
I have a LOT of photos of the kids fencing, I may have video as well of their first tournament, and photos of DeDe, David and the kids at our house and theirs. My husband has been collecting everything over the past few days, so if you let me know how to get the photos to you most easily, we’d be happy to do that.
I can’t begin to imagine what your and DeDe’s family are going through. I know that this has hit us so hard we just don’t quite know how to deal with it yet. My deepest condolences to you and your family. David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan will be dearly missed. We feel privileged to have known them and been able to spend what time we had with them. They had a wonderful influence and affect on everyone who knew them, this is obvious. My son Alex has said that reading everyone’s comments on this website has made him feel a little more able to deal with his emotions, since it’s clear that so many are sharing the same grief and sense of loss.
I was a colleague of DeDe when she taught fifth grade at Capitola Elementary School before she had children. She had a great sense of humor and winning smile. She always had interesting things going on in her class: on one occasion an iguana that wandered around her room. An exemplary teacher, DeDe was liked by all. I am so sorry that she and her family are no longer with us. My thoughts are with you.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family during this extremely difficult time. I was extremely saddened to hear of our losing them. I have known David and Dede for a number of years via taking a few diving courses through them and spent much time visiting with them during my many visits to their shop. I will miss them greatly. I’ll never forget their smiling faces and how wonderfully happy they were. May you have peace during this time and know that they will forever be in my thoughts.
When my kids and I first walked into the “scuba shed” next to Dave’s and De De’s home in the early 90′s, we all felt a shift in the world’s possibilities! And so it went through the years: watching them immerse themselves in SO MANY projects, all created to bring hope, joy, laughter, learning, comfort and peace. Times spent with them were rich and wonderful. Luke and Ryan had childhoods that can only be described as amazing, as they themselves were. For those who knew this dear family, can you begin to imagine the positive influence they generated in this world. I really hold onto that thought; it is a struggle to acknowledge their absence here. Such a loss for so many; I hold family and friends in peace…..and I try to smile as I remember them.
I got to know and admire DeDe while working together for many years at Nursing Mothers Counsel. She was a smart, kind, energetic, thoughtful and totally committed volunteer. As with everything she did, she was passionate and fully involved and always willing to help new moms at a critical time in their lives. I am so sadddened by this tragic event.
I went on two dive trips with David and Dede to Mulege, as well as doing some work for David. I knew them well and David would always tell me he loved me! They were the sweetest people and this news has hit me very hard. My condolences to their families, they were like a ray of sunshine that lit up everyone who had the good fortune to know them.
Wow – so sad. I got certified at Dave’s shop (with Dave’s brother John) back when it was taught at his house. Then Dave led my first dive trip to La Paz. Since then I have gone of dive trips with Dave (and sometimes his family) all around the world. I’ve had so many great adventures/stories/pictures/memories of those trips that it’s hard to believe I’ll never go on another Dave dive trip. Dave was one of those guys that seems to excel at whatever he takes on – I remember one flight across the Pacific where Dave kept a passenger alive until the plane could get emergency clearance to land in Tokyo.
Anyway, my thoughts go out to John and the rest of the family at this time of great loss.
Dave & Luke in the jungles of Chiang Mai
Dee Dee & Ryan feeding elephants in Chiang Mai
Ryan in Phuket
I can post more pics of the family from older trips to Egypt and Bonaire if interested.
I knew her briefly, and was so touched by the open heart Dede had. Her willingness to offer help in her busy life. The love and dedication to her boys. A beautiful soul has been taken too early. My heart goes out to the family and friends left behind.
DeDe was such a sweetheart; I still have the very kind and thoughtful note of encouragement she left for me on my first day of teaching at Capitola Elementary. She was a wonderful teacher and well- liked by her students and their families.
DeDe always spoke with adoration for David, and she was a loving mother to her beautiful boys, Luke and Ryan. This tragedy is so leaves me so sad! The Houghtons were a very special and generous family; they loved life and were loved by all!! I’m sorry for all their family and friends and will be praying for peace and healing!