This is the most recent family photo we have. Luke is on the left and Ryan is on the right. It’s from a few weeks ago when David was leading of about a trip of about twenty to Bonaire.
I last saw David’s family on father’s day when my family and David’s family celebrated at David’s house on Father’s day. Luke was talking about his recent fencing tournament and how he was able to defeat some grownups even though he is only 12. He was also looking forward to going to space camp in the Alabama. He was going to go by himself – flying and all – quite independent. Ryan told us about his martial arts and was looking forward to volunteering at the animal shelter. David and DeDe were excited about their trip to Bonaire and were going to a pool party later in the day with the family (does anybody have photos?). Ryan loved holding my daughter Kaleigh.
Luke had bought a second hand record player and was playing classical music and jazz. My dad and I were trying to name the composers. Luke showed us his electrical Frankenstein thing that carries the arc up the poles with 10,000 volts – I don’t know what this thing is called. We miss them so much and want to remember them with photos and stories. Post comments below and send photos to john at johnhoughton com.
We’re starting to think about memorial services. I have a sense that we need a big venue. Please send your ideas to my email as opposed to posting in comments – john at johnhoughton dot com.
What a tragic loss to our community. I had the honor of knowing them as my son Jaden was good friends with Ryan and DeeDee had become a wonderful support parent for us.
They will never be forgotten and missed very much!
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 a business for 14 years in their building 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. I have no suggestions for a memorial location, but it would feel right to be near the ocean and outdoors. Much love and peace to you!
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.
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.
Kindly disregard the question mark…Luke would know how to delete it!achisi “transfer
My beautiful daughter that was a joy to me from the day she was born. She was so blessed in her short life with a wonderful, handsome, loving husband and two exceptional young sons. It has been my reward as a mother to have shared so in this loving family whether it was in their home or on a shared adventure. There was not a day that went by that I did not think of them and this will not change. God created the most wonderful gift and I am so greatful for my time and will wait until I am with them all again. I love you all so very much…you were my light and it is dimmed so much by your passing.
John the Frankenstein item is a Jacob’s Ladder and Luke and David built it and Luke did many demonstrations and showing and telling how it worked. He also took part last year in a program at the University and he gave a demonstration using film canisters, foil and some other items to assist the attendees in making their own modified Jacob’s ladder. Ryan was into Martial Arts and had earned two belts, he had such great balance and was so focused on his moves. Both boys had the same lust for the ocean and diving as DeDe and David and were both naturals in the sport. I remember often the days on the beach when volunteers did a clean up of the beach near the boardwalk and the boys loved going through the findings looking for special treasures.
The Ocean will always remind me of the Houghton family. Their love, respect and dedication to protecting the undersea world has touched me forever. DeDe taught me so much! I trusted her with my life on many occasions and I’m confident her spirit will stay with me each time I enter that deep, blue, amazing ocean.
My heart is hurting now but as David Orr said “When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” So I hope the Houghton family conservation traditions will somehow continue.
I had the pleasure of knowing David, Dede, Luke and Ryan through Delaveaga Elementary School. My daughter was in Kindergarten with Ryan and I was fortunate to work with Dede on several school projects. She was a truly lovely person and treasured her family so very much. It is still unbelievable to me that she is gone.
I remember hearing about AquaSafaris and Dede organizing an underwater clean up of the wharf area in 2009. I can’t find it online, but maybe someone at the Dive Shop will have more information. It is yet another example of the wonderful ways that the whole Houghton family positively impacted our community and our oceans.
Please do post information about their memorial service when it is planned. I know many members of our school community would like to participate. If there is anything that our school community can do to support your family in this time, please let us know. David, Dede, Luke and Ryan were beloved by many.
Please know that they will always be remembered.
Shannon
We know Dede and the boys from Delaveaga and Scouts. Dede and I have been friends for many years, sharing \mom\ stories on the playground waiting for the kids to get out of class. Dede was a wonderful mom, friend, and human. She was always thinking of ways to help the school, and community, to make it a better place for everyone. She always stopped to say \hi\ in the hall, no matter how busy she was. She was ALWAYS smiling and happy. My boys grew up with Luke and Ryan at Delaveaga and B-40. My oldest son, Adam, had scouts with Luke. They loved being a part of a fun group of boys. Playing games, building things, and going on new adventures. To say we will miss this family, would be an understatement. The WORLD will miss this family! They gave so much to everyone, even when they had little for themselves. They made this world a better place, and we feel so lucky to have known them. We wish your family love during this hard time, and hope you find support in the kind words Santa Cruz has to say about the Houghton’s. They were amazing people.
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.
We are part of the DeLaveaga and scouting communities- and are so devastated by this tragedy. Dede especially touched my life, with her warmth, compassion, and deeds. She never complained, and always had time to talk – which struck me with the business(es), kids’ activities, traveling, volunteering. I echo Angela, to keep the local conservations going, in the trails that they blazed. I’m not a diver, but would be happy to help organize a day of beach- clean up or some community service dedicated to this amazing family.
Jill and Diego
We knew Dave, Dede and the kids from diving as well as other adventures. Paul got to know Dave when he was a student firefighter at UCSC and Paul was his \boss.\ He read at their wedding. Mary Sue got to know them once she and Paul were married 10 years ago; many stories of Dave and Dede preceded Mary Sue’s meeting them.
They were a wonderful couple, great friends, and an inspiration to all. Through them we both got into diving and discovered a passion for being under the sea. We are both still in shock and deeply saddened by their death. We know that they will live on in the hearts and lives of so many people. Our prayers and sympathy are with you and all of your family.
Wanted to send some pictures we have from our trip to Bali 2 summers ago. Tried to e-mail them to you but it didn’t work. They are on Dave’s Facebook page.
If there is anything we can do to help, please contact us.
Wishing you comfort and peace,
Paul and Mary Sue Babb
Dede, David, Luke, and Ryan were the most caring, kind, warm, generous and loving family. I will miss having fun and cherish conversations with Dede and David and will also miss their big hugs and smiles. I will miss the time when Luke showed me his Popsicle stick bridge, which got him an award and I will miss the times when Ryan showed me his lego creations and science projects that he loved to build. I will always have these memories and treasure them with such a joy. I will always love them with all my heart!!!
Thought I’d share this with you all because I thought it was funny and sweet. When my wife first met the Houghton family she said she thought they were swingers because they were so friendly and physical with everyone. She said as the night wore on she realized how loving the family was just hugging everyone and sitting close on the couch. What a special family that REALLY knew how to live life to the fullest. I wish I’d spent more time with you all, you guys were the best!
Aunt Sherry to DeDe and family — DeDe and I shared the same middle name, Diane. I was honored to fill in for a few days when the boys (needed) an adult in the house during DeDe and David’s Africa trip. To say there was never a dull moment is an understatement. We “went” from the time they got up in the morning till after they went to bed at night. Learning that Luke had new braces — glow in the dark bands — I could easily imagine him under the covers of his bunk bed, mirror in hand, making sure they “glowed”. A happy memory, saved in a photo, was of Luke presenting DeDe with a single rose on Mother’s Day — so much love in the exchanged glance. At the same time Ryan, always trying to earn points with me, (uh-huh), handed me a rose with a broken stem and the message that he’d “picked it out just for” ME. I can still see his impish grin. They are going to be missed — loved forever.
Dear Houghton Family/Brother,
My heart goes out to you all during this time. My name is Sherri, I am the CNO at Watsonville Community Hospital. I was there the night of the crash. This event felt more personal to me because I too, lost my brother to a plane crash a few years ago. The plane was very similar. I never saw his crash sight, as his was in the ocean. My family is a long standing local family in Aptos. We were all together at my parents home that day remembering my brother on his Birthday, the same night of your Brother’s crash. I just wanted to send our prayers and condolences your way. It has been a very very difficult journey for our family and I feel very sad for what you are going through. I remember it being difficult to see the whole world moving forward, when your world has stopped. Again, our best regards for you and your family. Sincerely, Sherri Stout-Torres
To the Houghton Family,
Words cannot desribe the feelings I share, with our community, of the grief and loss. What an amazing family they are! I wish I had told them personally how awesome their positive spirits are and how admirable they are as a family unit, I truly looked up to them. My son Jaden and I had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful family through DeLaVeaga elementary, one challenging session of Junior Guards and Kung Fu. I don’t think we would have made it through the whole session if Junoir Guards with out DeDe and Ryan. DeDe (and Critter) was there with her everlasting smile, encouraging Jaden to stick it out, and reassuring me that making Jaden complete the session was an ok thing for a mother to do. She hepled my family out with pick ups when we were working, helping others was something she was always willing to do. The bond the boys created continued at school and grew into a strong friendship. Jaden was inspired by Ryan to be adventurous. As kids do, the boys made their own plans for dive trips they would go on, once they were old enough, dreaming big like I’ve always encouraged. Ryan joined our Kung Fu family and embraced it fully, an attribute I’m sure he learned from his parents. Today he was going to test for and recieve his yellow sash, something he worked hard for. He willl be honored and awarded for his accomplishments next week at Mantis Martial Arts. They will be deeply missed by many as they touched many peoples lives. My family holds dear our memories with them, for that is how they will be with us forever.
My deepest condolences, Laura, Jaden and family
It was such a treat to work with Dede at Capitola School many years ago. She was a beautiful person and so full of love for others. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease me. She had a beautiful spirit and positive way of looking at life. Her family and giving to others was very important to her. How blessed I was to know her. My prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May God surround you with His Love.
Cindy Boram
John, sending you the strength and courage to carry on. So glad that you have Jodi and Kaleigh to support you. Know that all of your friends are sending you LOVE to lift you up. Cherish the memories.
I give you and your entire family my heartfelt condolences. It is such a tragic loss for so many. Dave, Dede, Luke and Ryan were all such special people. I will miss them very much. They were always helping out those in need and and volunteering for wonderful causes. Dave was a good friend and my dive buddy on many occasions. The trip to Fiji in December 2009 with Dave and our Aqua Safari group was one of the best I have expereinced mainly due to Dave and Dede’s great planning. But Dave’s boyish charm and great sense of humor kept us laughing and having fun the whole time. You always felt safe with Dave in the group, knowing how skilled he is under water as well as above water. Dave was one of the smartest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We worked together on a professional level as well. I used Dave as my lead Environmental Consultant on several projects and recommended him to many. I could always trust his conclusions and judgement without question. They left us all too early. They will be missed by many and never forgotton. God Bless them and your family.