James Houston

James “Scotty” Houston, a long-time resident of Columbia, MD, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2021, at the age of 82.

Scotty was born April 30, 1939, in his native Scotland where he was raised in the burgh of Kilmarnock. As a young man he spent two years in the British Army as a tank driver before emigrating to Canada wherein he then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his time as an American soldier Scotty was stationed in Vietnam and Japan.

After completing his military service, he moved to Maryland where he met his wife, Dianne, on a blind date. The two were married for 55 years. Scotty spent the next 30 years working as an engineering technician at NASA Goddard Space Center until his retirement.

Scotty was a devoted family man that took great enjoyment in building model airplanes and watching the animals in nature, particularly the birds.

Scotty is survived by his wife, Dianne (née Richards); his children, James (Nancianne) and Glenn (Susie); six grandchildren, Andrew, William, Eddie, Kyle, Marty, and Campbell; his niece Karen; in addition to extended relatives and all of those that came in contact with Scotty as he had ‘never met a stranger’. He is predeceased by his parents James and Emma and his sister Sadie.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 11th, from 5-7pm at Harry H. Witzke’s Funeral Home, 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 12th at 10:30am in St. John's Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City. Interment following in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Scotty’s memory to Gilchrist Center Howard County.

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