Obituary
James Guy Houston, 83, of Fort Myers, FL passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017. He was born December 28, 1933 in Danville, IL to the late Audie and Dortha Houston.
Jim was a professional musician, music educator, and music publisher. After growing up in Lafayette, IN he attended the IU School of Music where he received a bachelor’s degree as a clarinet major. After a short yet successful career as a band director in central Indiana, he earned a master’s degree from Ball State University. He then stayed at Ball State where he was hired to create and direct the first jazz program. He later started a business in Lebanon, IN called Studio P/R, which over 18 years became a major educational music publisher that was eventually acquired by Columbia Pictures Publishing.
Throughout his entire life Jim was a professional musician (clarinet and saxophone) playing for years with the Al Cobine Orchestra who regularly toured with and accompanied such notable names as Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Mel Tormé and many others.
For the last 20 years he happily enjoyed his retirement life in SW Florida living in Captiva and Fort Myers.
He is survived by his wife Betsey; his children Julie, and Scott; daughter-in-law Theresa; step-daughter Natalie (Lenox) Snapp, grandchildren Chris Mueller, Hannah (Mueller) Kanaly, and McKenna Houston; great-grandchildren Isabelle, Owen, Samuel Kanaly, and Max Mueller. And finally, his faithful companion dog Riley.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Annie Mueller.
There are no formal services planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Hope Hospice (hopehcs.org).
Affordable Cremations by Baldwin Brothers, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.
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