Jim Hougas, Jr
I was so saddened to hear of your Dad's passing! Through the many, many years, my branch of the Hougas family (10th of 12 born to Adlai and Cecilia Hougas) always looked forward to seeing Bill's smiling face at the Hougas family reunions. Your Dad and mine (Jim Hougas) were born within months of each other in 1932. Though a generation apart, they grew up as brothers in Morris, doing their best to support the extended family during the "hard knocks" of the Great Depression. Like so many of that era, neither finished high school, attaining their GEDs in adulthood. Though both stoic, my Dad always had a tear in his eye and a warm embrace when seeing your Dad at the reunions. There, the transistor radio always had the Cub game on, just as when they were growing up. When my Dad passed in 2009 (the last of his generation), your Dad became the Patriarch, the oldest surviving 1st cousin. With great pride and enthusiasm, he would update us on you all and his travels. It was so wonderful to meet so many of you at the 2025 reunion, his last. Sorry I will be unable to attend his Remembrance/Celebration of Life in person, but he and you all will always be in ours hearts.
With Love, Jim (Jr) and Barb Hougas