- Date Of Birth: January 12, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 21, 2016
- State: Iowa
Raymond L. Houk, 89, passed away in the Wayne County Hospital Saturday, May 21. He was born January 12, 1927, to Everett M. and Elva (Hayes) Houk in Muncie, Indiana. He graduated from Central Senior High School in Muncie and promptly joined the Army. He served as a paratrooper in World War II based in Japan as part of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attaining the rank of sergeant. Upon discharged he married Beverly I. Riley and moved to Des Moines, Iowa.
Ray worked as a trouble shooting inspector for John Deere in Ankeny, Iowa for 40 years. Ray was a talented artist creating intricate beaded pictures. He was an adventurous and athletic person, even into his elder years. His hobbies included spelunking, swimming, riding horses, sailing, and fishing. His life revolved around his family, he liked to laugh and make others laugh. He spent his summers at the family cabin in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
Ray has one daughter, Kris Patrick of Chariton and her husband Bryon, and two grandchildren, Travis Barr of Underwood, IA and Matthew Barr of Okoboji, IA, a sister-in-law Fredi Houk, and nephew Bob Houk of Roscommon, Michigan.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Everett Houk, and wife Beverly.
