Author Archives: John

Aqua Safaris Scuba Center Open Starting Monday

Posted on August 13, 2011 by John

We’re pleased to inform you that Aqua Safaris SCUBA Center will be open on starting this Monday, August 15th.  First two days have limited hours, but then we’re back in full swing.  We will also have a grand opening event … Continue reading →

Posted in Aqua Safaris Scuba Center | 3 Comments

Riding Elephants in Thailand

Posted on August 11, 2011 by John

Post from Alice Colby below.  She is diving this week in Kona and will have the remembrance bracelet on her BC.  Click on the photo below to see larger. “Yahoo” Look what I found! these are photos from the vacation/dive … Continue reading →

Posted in Remembering | 1 Comment

Reading Comments

Posted on August 10, 2011 by John

Left – Luke, David and Ryan on a jet ski in Phuket, 2009. To those that have submitted comments, thanks so much for all of your participation in bringing this community together.

Posted in Remembering | 2 Comments

David in Padova Italy

Posted on August 9, 2011 by John

Left – A picture of David and I (David is on the Left) in front our school “Scuola Ardigo,” in Padova (Padua) Italy (not far from Venice) in 1976.  Click on the picture to see a blowup.  I remember David … Continue reading →

Posted in David | 1 Comment

DeDe the Younger Years

Posted on August 8, 2011 by John

Post by Linda Anderson, DeDe’s mother. It is nearly 4 am on August 7, 2011 and I cannot sleep and keep feeling DeDe’s presence, the house is creaking and I keep expecting the microwave oven to start. 

Posted in DeDe, Remembering | 5 Comments

It’s What Luke & Ryan Would Do

Posted on August 6, 2011 by John

My wife and I got some Omaha Steaks from relatives, which is a great gift for us because we need to eat and they come frozen and easy to prepare.  Anyway, they came with some HUGE chunks of dry ice. 

Posted in Luke, Remembering, Ryan | 1 Comment

Sunday, August 14, 2pm: Memorial at Watsonville Comunity Hospital

Posted on August 5, 2011 by John

I was contacted by Cindy Weigelt at Watsonville community hospital who let me know that they will place a memorial plaque for the David Houghton family as well as planting an ornamental pear tree in their remembrance. 

Posted in Remembering | 2 Comments

Helping Babies Get a Good Start

Posted on August 4, 2011 by John

Post by Lucia Orlando (right), a close friend of the Houghton family, shown with DeDe Houghton (left) at Sutter Hospital. I met Dave and DeDe in 1991 when I started dating my husband Darryl Quan.  Darryl’s known Dave since they … Continue reading →

Posted in Remembering | 2 Comments

Ryan: Nachos are the Best!

Posted on August 3, 2011 by John

The title pretty much sums it up.  Click here to watch.  Nachos are the best!

Posted in Remembering | 4 Comments

David’s First Boat

Posted on August 2, 2011 by John

Left -  David’s first boat, 1977 in Italy, at Lake Trasimeno, near Perugia, Italy. David loved boats and when we lived in Italy, we would see the boats on sale at the local department store. 

Posted in Remembering | 3 Comments

Save the Date for the Houghton Family Beach Memorial and Bonfire

Posted on August 1, 2011 by John

All are welcome!  Saturday Sept. 10th.  Join us in sharing memories and favorite stories.  We may have a paddleout depending on ocean conditions.

Posted in Remembering | 6 Comments

Sleepovers with Ryan

Posted on July 31, 2011 by John

Above – Picture of Ryan (left) and Zack at Great America on Zack’s last birthday.  Ryan died in a plane crash with his family, David, DeDe and Luke, on July 7, 2011. This post was written by Keith and Zack … Continue reading →

Posted in Ryan | 2 Comments

Plans for Aqua Safaris Scuba Center

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John

Note: New articles posted daily below this one.  For easier navigation, we have also added categories to the right (based on subject). First of all, we are overcome with grief and this has been a very hard time for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aqua Safaris Scuba Center | 2 Comments

Video of Memorial Service

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John

Video of the July 16, 2011 Houghton family memorial service is now available by clicking on the image to the left (or here) which will take you to Vimeo, where it is hosted.  Special thanks to Ron Goodman who recorded, … Continue reading →

Posted in David Houghton Family | 1 Comment

Ryan Loved Babies

Posted on July 29, 2011 by John

Ryan loved babies.  He loved them so much that he when he was 2 or 3 years old, he always carried a baby doll with him everywhere he went.  He called it baby.  Left, Ryan in December of 2003 (at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ryan | 4 Comments

Let’s go play! …and a remembrance

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John

Post by Chris Upham, a good friend of David’s.  Above – David in Mexico. I have written these remarks as I am unable to restrain my emotions. I cannot begin to tell you how diminished I feel. I met Dave … Continue reading →

Posted in David, Scattering The Ashes | Leave a comment

Over The Rainbow

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John

Above – The Chardonnay II off of Light House Point in Santa Cruz as we prepare to spread the ashes of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton who died in a plane crash on July 7, 2011.  Photo by Sky … Continue reading →

Posted in Scattering The Ashes | 5 Comments

Farewell at Lighthouse Point

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John

I need to join my family, but wanted to write a quick post to thank everybody who came out to remember the Hougthon family today.  I’ll write more later.  We told stories for bit as we sat in the calm … Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | 3 Comments

Luke’s Birthday Rememberance

Posted on July 26, 2011 by John

Left – Picture of Luke in Bonaire from last month’s dive trip.  Below – Article from Luke’s grandmother, Linda Anderson. Luke David Houghton was born on July 26, 1998, from the moment I saw him I knew he was special.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | 5 Comments

Hard To Deal With

Posted on July 25, 2011 by John

The grief is hitting me.  I couldn’t sleep until 3am this morning.  All I could think about was the family.  I was thinking about Luke and Ryan and how they were when I last saw them.  I dreamed about them.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | 10 Comments

Scattering of the Ashes – Wednesday

Posted on July 24, 2011 by John

This post was updated Wed, 7/27 at 8:43am. The Sentinel incorrectly printed that the date is tomorrow.  It’s today. Viewing location is West Cliff Lighthouse Point (Surfing Museum/Steamers Lane).  Also, today is Luke’s birthday, please see posts below.  It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Scattering The Ashes | 2 Comments

Once Upon A Dream

Posted on July 24, 2011 by John

Above – The David Houghton Family in Bali, 2009.  Post by Linda Anderson, DeDe Houghton’s Mom. Last night as I lay sleeping in my own bed, the first time in many nights since the accident, something happened…was it real or … Continue reading →

Posted in David Houghton Family | 1 Comment

Luke was there, I swear!

Posted on July 23, 2011 by John

The article below was submitted by Nico Schneiter, one of Luke’s closest friends. Ever since I heard that Luke died I have been thinking that I will wake up one day and Luke will be here with us. Luke and … Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | 6 Comments

A Mother’s Love is Easy!

Posted on July 22, 2011 by John

Article from Linda Anderson, mother of DeDe Houghton, who died in a plane crash with her family on July 7, 2011. Above – Linda Anderson and her daughter DeDe in 2006. When you have a daughter who lights up your … Continue reading →

Posted in DeDe | 8 Comments

A Way To Remember the David Houghton Family

Posted on July 21, 2011 by John

Laura Perron and scuba friends were wonderful and made red wrist bands for us to wear to remember the David Houghton Family. The band says “Forever Remember David – DeDe – Luke – Ryan.” These were handed out at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Remembering | 3 Comments

David Houghton – The Younger Years

Posted on July 20, 2011 by John

David was a good boy and was very sweet.  He probably got the itch to travel because my mom likes to travel and we toured Europe as youngsters while touring fine art museums (my mom was an artist).  We’ve seen … Continue reading →

Posted in David | 3 Comments

A Clear Day

Posted on July 19, 2011 by John

Above – View from my parent’s house looking over Santa Cruz into Monterey Bay.  You can see the ocean, then above the narrow strip of fog and low clouds, the mountains rise behind Carmel.

Posted in Remembering | 3 Comments

The Love That They Shared

Posted on July 18, 2011 by John

Above – A card placed above DeDe’s kitchen window tells of the love they shared. David and DeDe loved each other very much.  She believed in him and he loved her dearly.  The picture above shows a card from last … Continue reading →

Posted in DeDe, Remembering | 6 Comments

Visit To The Crash Site

Posted on July 17, 2011 by John

Above – Site where the Houghton family plane impacted on July 7.  New paint helps the cosmetics, but doesn’t heal our broken hearts. Warning:  Nothing gruesome below but if you don’t like specifics, you might skip.  The specifics aren’t bad … Continue reading →

Posted in The Crash | 13 Comments

Memorial – Day At The Beach

Posted on July 17, 2011 by John

Every year in Santa Cruz, my bother and DeDe celebrated Day At The Beach, where the handicapped can experience water sports.  Normally, my brother and his wife DeDe do the scuba portion, but in their memory, the group placed a … Continue reading →

Posted in Remembering | 2 Comments