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Henry "Boom" Houseman

March 2, 2017
Kalamazoo, MI

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Houseman, Henry Frank "Boom" Oldest son of Henry and Beth (Gillesby) Houseman, born April 10, 1932 in Decatur, Michigan. Died March 2, 2017, with his daughters loving him into heaven. Survived by daughters, Sara Beth (Jake) and Rachel Susan, granddaughters Nicole (Sean) Devine and Danielle (Justin Buck) Zimmerman, great-granddaughters Fiona Ann and Bridget Rose. Also mourning his passing are brother, Lewis (Loraine) Houseman, sister, Dorothy Nelson, nieces and nephews, Carol Williams, Jeff and Jim Nelson, Elaine Mrozcek and Mark Houseman, brother-in-law, Donald Lynch, special loved family members, Tommy Orr and Jim Zimmerman, a host of ne'er do-wells, reprobates, cronies and friends, and his insufferable cat, Jebi. Preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elsie, beloved son, David Henry, and at long last reunited with his honus, Patricia. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1950, and enrolled at Western Michigan College of Education, where his preferred major was partying and hooliganism, with a minor in agriculture. Invited to pledge to Sigma Alpha Delta fraternity, until it was discovered his GPA was too low to join. Henry was "encouraged" to take a hiatus from college, and naturally chose to enter the United States Marine Corps in the "Thundering Third." Shipped off to fight in Korea, they heard he was coming and surrendered instead in 1953. He earned several citations, including the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and $100 with his honorable discharge. He re-enrolled at Western Michigan University with a new attitude, receiving his BS in 1959, MA in 1964, and Specialist in Education in 1976. He met Patricia Ann Jones in 1958, had their first date on October 3, swept her off her Irish feet, and were married on April 9, 1960. No deeper love was known between two people. He and his "child bride" celebrated (and occasionally weathered) 52 years of marriage until her passing in 2012. Henry taught junior high English and social studies in Albion and Portage, with the occasional drivers ed courses augmenting their meager incomes in the "poor days." He founded what is now known as the Community and Adult Education program for Portage Public Schools in 1970. With the help of dedicated, hard-working staff and a supportive superintendent and board of education, the Portage program grew rapidly. Hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals in Kalamazoo county received their high school diploma or GED directly from his hand at their graduation ceremonies. Under his leadership and with his vision, Portage began offering Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, job skills training for unemployed adults and Employee-in-Training classes for General Motors employees. When Portage's secondary summer school classes became part of the CE program, Henry had the added responsibilities of teaching, being principal and serving as lurker-in-charge at West Junior High School. During the 1970s, Henry promoted regional and state-wide adult and community education collaborations and consortiums, such as SMACE, MAPACE, MCSEA, and was a charter member and later president of MACAE, the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education. After an "early" retirement from PPS, Henry slacked off for a year, then was selected as the Executive Director for MACAE in 1988 through 1993. He "sort of" retired again, working briefly for Eastern Michigan University as adjunct professor with graduate students in Secondary Education. In 1995, in recognition of his life's dedication and vocation to lifelong learning, he was elected to the Michigan Education Hall of Fame. In 1994, when Pat retired from her position with the Michigan Education Association as president of the USO, they moved to Florida, where Pat un-retired and served the support staff union with the Florida Education Association. They both became involved with the Lee County Democratic Party, essentially doubling the size of the organization when they joined. He served three terms as treasurer and delegate to state conventions. He was also actively involved with the Marine Corps League (Lee County chapter) and the Kalamazoo Detachment. Despite their busy schedules, Henry and Pat took time to smell the roses, ruik de rozen, sentir les roses, riech die Rosen, huele las rosas, wen wen meigui, zapakh roz, and myrisete ta triantafylla in more than 40 countries, six continents, and 49 states (he could not abide Arkansas). They spent many summers snowbirding to Michigan and playing Grandma and Grandpa Boom's Taxi Service. They felt no greater joy than being with their family. As Henry would say, "It was a helluva ride." If you haven't already had "the talk" with your family, do it NOW. Henry died on his own terms, in his own bed with his daughters at each side holding his hand. No artificial breathing contraptions or feeding tubes, no endless trips to and from the hospital, no rib-cracking CPR, no heroic measures. It was quiet, and peaceful, and holy. Get your advanced directives in order NOW, get a POLST in order NOW, show your family your love NOW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, Rose Arbor Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, or the charity of your choice . In accordance with Henry's wishes, cremation has taken place. Family will receive visitors on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 2:00 4:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel at 411 E. Centre Street. A full memorial, fitting of his life and service to his community, will be held Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. The memorial will start at the Veterans Memorial Park by the Portage Public Library, and conclude at the Portage Community Education Center at 1010 W. Milham. Per Henry: "Ham and potato salad for everyone!" Please visit Henry's personalized guest book at www.langelands.com