James Edward Houston, Sr. formerly of Massillon and Akron, passed away on Tuesday the 11th of September at the age of 80, from complications of dementia and ALS. He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents William and Edith (nee Carraker); sister Mildred Sechler; brothers Lin, Junior, Howard, and Jack; and son Daniel. Left to honor and remember his love are his wife Donna (nee Brewster-Fyffe); brother Walt (Jean), children Jim (Cathy), Jane Fetrow (Ron), Judy Sexton (Bryan), and Dave (Heather); stepchildren Dave Fyffe (Kelly), Matt Fyffe (Jennifer), Karleen Radke (Roger); and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He had 13 grandchildren whom he loved dearly, keeping their photos on his wall and their love in his heart: Jim, Caroline, Brenna, Tyler, Jack, Luke, Jake, Madison, Jessica, Darcy, Deanna, Lauren, and Charlie.
Jim was a star athlete at Massillon playing football as a Tiger, winning a State Title as a senior in 1955. Jim then went on to The Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Sphinx Honorary. He continued playing football as an offensive and defensive end, playing under Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. He was two-time All American, MVP in both 1958 and 1959, and defeated Oregon 10-7 at the National Championship Rose Bowl in January of 1958. In 1960, Jim was selected eighth in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he played thirteen seasons, including on the 1964 Championship Team. Jim was honored as a Cleveland Browns legend and was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant in 1962 and 1963 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, completing his reserve duty in 1967. He was then inducted into the Ohio State ROTC Hall of Fame. He had a successful career in the life insurance business since 1960 and securities since 1965.
Jim was a man of faith, active in various Methodist churches that he attended. He believed in paying it forward, and was involved with the Browns, Indians, and Forty-Niners charities in Ohio and California. He also formed the NEO Celebrity Luncheon Club, which raised money for Boys and Girls Clubs in Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron, and Massillon.
If you knew Jim, he was always ready to stop and carry on a conversation with a willing soul. Jim was full of life and laughter, and always had big smiles, big hugs, and firm handshakes. He loved sitting in his courtyard with his wife drinking coffee and reading the paper. He followed the Browns and Buckeyes with great enthusiasm.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Maplewood at Twinsburg, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and Crossroads Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and care shown to Jim. Jim has generously donated his brain and spinal cord to Boston University Concussion Legacy Foundation to help in diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Per Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WILL BE HELD SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH AT THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 WEST AURORA RD (OH RT 82), SAGAMORE HILLS FROM 2 – 5 P.M. Services to immediately follow with Pastor Clark Stein officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Massillon at 730 Duncan Street SW Massillon, OH 44647, or to Alzheimer’s Association at P.O. Box 96011Washington, DC 20090. Private interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
