Jimmy Dean Houston

Jimmy Houston died peacefully on November 1, surrounded by loved ones. Jimmy Dean Houston was born in Newport, Rhode Island on September 9, 1958, the fourth of Melvin (Gene) and Ruby Houston’s six children. He attended EC Glass High School in Lynchburg, where he met his future wife, Lynn Kemp. Jimmy and Lynn were married in December 1977, and they welcomed their daughter Lee Ann in 1978. Jimmy joined the US Navy in 1977, serving until 1980. After he left the Navy, Jimmy worked in construction and was injured on the job in November 1987, resulting in the amputation of one arm and one leg. He adapted quickly to getting around on crutches, and through sheer determination and stubbornness, he was able to do just about anything anyone else could do.

In 1991, Jimmy, Lynn and Lee Ann moved to their mountain home in Coleman Falls, which became both a sanctuary for them and a popular meeting place for family and their beloved group of friends. Jimmy and Lynn spent many of their weekends canoeing and camping on the river, and they looked forward to their summer trips to the beach at the Outer Banks, especially Ocracoke Island. Jimmy was devoted to Lynn through her battle with cancer, and when she died in 2009, he honored her by building a pond and campsite called Camp Lynn on their property to celebrate her memory.

Always the “big kid,” Jimmy was a magnet for the kids in his life, staging battles with army figures, playing ball in the pool, or playing games. He was legendarily unbeatable at Monopoly, keeping the racecar with him to prevent anyone else from using it and issuing personal debts to the other players when they couldn’t borrow from the bank. He accepted any challenge in a game of chess and almost always won.

He was a notorious jokester, playing tricks and pranks on his loved ones throughout his life. He believed that you had to have humor to survive all the things he’d been through. Jimmy was kind-hearted and generous, literally giving a friend the shirt off his back. He cared deeply for and spoiled all of his pets, especially Hazel, Pipkin, Peppi, Riley, Bud, Jake, Lola, and Boothe.

More than anything, Jimmy was game for an adventure, and he kept a box packed with all of his necessities in case an opportunity for fun popped up. Jimmy found the party wherever he went because Jimmy was the party. To meet him was to be his friend, and almost everyone who knew him has at least one unbelievable Jimmy story. He brought joy, mischief, and fun to everyone who crossed paths with him. Though he will be missed terribly, memories of the good times with him will bring smiles to the faces of those who knew him forever.

Jimmy is survived by his daughter, Lee Ann (Rose Fox) Houston; his brothers Melvin “Little Gene” Houston Jr, Gary “Pee Wee” (Ella) Houston, Danny Houston, and Sam (Terri) Houston; brother-in-law Ricky Kemp; sister-in-law Kim (Matt) Austin; nephews Melvin Houston III, Lance Houston, Layton Houston, Jason (April) Houston, Jeremiah (Amy) Houston, Craig Hudson, Billy Shaynak, and Matthew Shaynak; nieces Melissa Hawkins, Lauren Hawkins, Brittany Houston, Elizabeth (Jody) Morris, Sibyl Kemp, Sarah Kemp, and Lynn Beal; honorary daughter Kelly (Misty Brockman) Goode; many great-nephews and great-nieces; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lynn, his parents Gene and Ruby, his sister Wanda Hawkins, his sister-in-law Karen Houston, and his brother-in-law Kenny Kemp.

Jimmy’s family would like to especially thank Austin Transportation, the team at UVA Health, Forest Health & Rehab, the nurses and staff at Lynchburg General B41, and Jimmy’s Bright Star companion, Cheyenne, for their exemplary kindness and care for Jimmy.

A visitation will be held at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, on Thursday, November 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at the Houston Family Cemetery on Friday, November 7, at 11:00 a.m.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.