Kenneth Lamar Houghton

Ken Houghton, 79, of Aurora, Colorado passed away peacefully on July 23, 2018 as a result of heart failure. His family was by his side when he passed. He was born to Walter and Mary Margaret Houghton of Washington D.C. on May 17, 1939. He moved as a child to Missouri, but ultimately found his home as an adult in Colorado. A self-taught man, Ken was passionate about his work and took great pride in it. He started his career as a Civil and Structural Design/Detailer in 1958 at Burns and McDonnell Engineering in Kansas City, MO. Over the course of nearly 60 years he worked his way into management as a Sr. Project /Construction Manager. He worked on heavy industrial projects all over the world including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, the Sakha Republic of Russia, United Arab Emirates and Peru. While working overseas, Ken developed lasting relationships with the local workers, learning about their lives and families and made sure to keep in touch with them even after leaving their countries. Ken loved to spend time in the mountains, off-roading, camping, backpacking, boating, dabbling in wood-working, genealogy and enjoying time with his friends and family. In his earlier years, he was a boy scout troop leader, rode motorcycles and skied. Ken is survived by his wife Fran Houghton and his children Alan Houghton (TX), Sheryl Layton (MO), Evan Houghton (CA), Julie Harrell (MO), Doug Houghton (MO), Keith Houghton (CO) and his step-children: Chad Newland (SD) and Candice Eckelberry (GA). Ken was blessed with 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by his father (1968) and mother (2003) and his sisters Grace Lou Jean Whited (1993) and Frances Sears (2017). Ken chose to be cremated and placed to rest with his family in Missouri. A service will be held on Saturday July 28, 2018 at 11am at the Church at Parker (12250 Pine Dr, Parker CO 80138 (303)-841-0330). A Reception at the Church will follow the service. Memorial contributions in his name can be made to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity. “I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” -Umberto Eco