John Houghton, 81, residing in Gilroy, CA passed away on August 7th, 2015, after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

John was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts on May 2nd, 1934. He attended Mansfield High School.

John grew up in modest conditions in a blue collar family. He joined the Marine Corps in 1952 going through boot camp at Paris Island, South Carolina. He served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1956. He was extremely proud to have served his country as a Marine.

John was married to Janet E. Houghton for 31 years and had two children, Kenneth John and Gregory Matthew. They adopted and raised their granddaughter Natalie Houghton McNair.

John always had strong motivation and work ethic. After his time in the service he worked multiple jobs to support his family including selling pots and pans and vacuum cleaners door to door. With John's drive for a better life and pursuit of the American dream, he joined Toastmasters and honed his speaking and business skills. He went to work for Dictaphone Corporation which was the kickoff to his distinguished business career.

In 1970 John moved his family to Brussels, Belgium, where he was in an executive position for ITT Europe which manufactured and sold high end telecommunication equipment.

In 1974 he then moved his family to Montreal, Canada, where he took an executive position with Northern Telecom. In 1976 Northern Telecom moved its headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee. John then, in 1980, took an executive position with Corvis Systems in Santa Clara, California.

John stayed in California and finished his career and was involved in numerous entrepreneurial endeavors. While living and working in Gilroy, John was a member of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and American Legion.

As a young man he became a student of the sales process. He immersed himself in learning about sales and spent a life time developing material and curriculum. John wrote and published a book 'Closing the Sale" which is the culmination of his years of study, practice and experience. He taught Sales at Cabrillo Community College, Aptos.
One of John's passions was refereeing high school football which he did from mid- 1970's to the early I990's. He was also extremely passionate about national politics.

John is survived by his son Gregory M. Houghton, his wife Valerie, and his two grandchildren Samantha and Dominic, his granddaughter (and adopted daughter) Natalie and her husband Ted McNair, and baby Emily McNair; He is also survived by his loving partner Barbara Drewitz and her daughters, Mary Ann, Robin and Shirley and their families and his sister Carol Leathers. John is preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Jesse Houghton as well as his sister Patricia Gouveia.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy.

Family would appreciate donations to St. Joseph's Family Center, Gilroy or a favorite charity.
John's wish was to be cremated and will be laid to rest at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.