HOUX, Jimmy Ray

Avenidas Funeral Chapel, Avondale, Arizona Jimmy Ray Houx - Signalman, First Class Petty Officer - United States Navy (Retired) April 25, 1948 Dallas, Texas ~ October 18, 2011 Wenden, Arizona Jimmy Ray Houx, departed this world Tuesday, the 18th of October 2011. Jimmy was born the fifth child to Clarence Bart Houx and Lennie Jewel Houx (Cluck) in Dallas Texas on April 25th, 1948. He was a devoted son, husband, father and Papaw. SM1(SW) Houx retired from the United States Navy, a Petty Officer First Class with a rating of Signalman, SM1 (SW) Houx gave over 20 years of honorable, dedicated service to his country without question, or hesitation. A proud sailor, SM1 (SW) Houx was a recognized Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and received the Navy good conduct medal, with silver star (fifth award), Sea Service Deployment ribbon with three bronze stars, Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, 2nd Award, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service Medal. SM1 (SW) Houx was also a recognized "Shellback", a very prestigious award presented to those sailors that are honored to take part in the initiation for the "crossing the line" or equator into the realm of the Golden Shellback. SM1 (SW) Houx served his country during the Vietnam war and was quick an eager to serve wherever his country called on him to go. He was the model of a true sailor. After his family, his career in the United States Navy was probably his most proudest accomplishments. Jimmy also retired from the Department of Corrections a CO-4 as a prison counselor where he served firmly and honorably for over 20 years. Jimmy was "Papaw" to his most cherished fans on earth, his loving grandchildren Chantal, Jacob and Logan - Osborne, three step-grandchildren Rudy, Ryan and Jimmy - Russell. There never seemed enough time for him to spend with them. At the twilight of his life he approached it doing exactly what he wanted to do and that was spending time with his grandkids. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lennie Houx, brothers Donald Houx and Robert Houx, and sister, Alice Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife Jane Houx; his sons, Phillip Houx and Charles Rogers; his daughter, Hollie Osborne; his sisters, Martha Rivers of Oregon and Peggy Lujan of Avondale; and his brother Frank Houx of Avondale . Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 26th, 2011 at Avenidas Funeral Chapel. 522 East Western Avenue, Avondale. Family and Friends may gather at 10:00am. Funeral Services will follow in the Chapel with Senior Chaplain Steven Kinsland officiating. Interment will follow an escorted motor procession to National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, located at 23029 North Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix. Full Military Honors will be in order and observed. Fair winds and following seas SM1 (SW) Houx, Relieve the watch. Rest easy now shipmate, all is secure. ~~~~~~~~~~ West Valley View, Avondale, AZ October 25, 2011 Jimmy Ray Houx, 63, of Avondale died Oct. 18, 2011, in Wenden. Mr. Houx was born April 25, 1948, in Dallas. He moved to Arizona in1988, and worked as a counselor for the Arizona Department of Corrections. He served in the Navy as a petty officer first class signalman for 20 years during the Vietnam and Cold wars, and honorably retired in 1988. He was an enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and received the Navy good conduct medal with Silver Star (fifth award), Sea Service Deployment ribbon with three bronze stars, Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Second Award, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service Medal, "Shellback" Recognition. He is survived by his wife, O. Jane; one daughter, Hollie Osborne; two sons, Charles Rogers and Phillip; two sisters, Martha Rivers of Oregon and Peggy Lujan; one brother, Frank; three grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Avenidas Funeral Chapel, 522 E. Western Ave. in Avondale. A service will be at noon, and a burial with full military honors will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. The Rev. Steven Kinsland will officiate. Condolences can be sent to the family at Avenidas Funeral Chapel, 522 E. Western Ave., Avondale, AZ 85323.