Ronald "Ron" William Houghtaling

Ronald “Ron” William Houghtaling, 84, of Panama City Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2018, with his family by his side. He is survived by his daughter, Jo Ann Davis and husband David of Panama City Beach, FL; sister, Miriam Bogaczyk and husband Andrew of Tioga, PA; grandson Joshua Davis and wife Alyssa of Mobile, AL; granddaughter Rachel Brown and husband Joshua of Pensacola, FL; grandson William Davis of Orlando, FL; devoted niece Shirley Beach and husband Doug of Simsbury, CT; future great-granddaughter Natalie Brown, many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friend, Frieda Howell. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nevah Houghtaling in 1986, his father, William Houghtaling in 1970, his first wife, Joyce Houghtaling in 1994, his second wife, Ollie Houghtaling in 2012, his sister, Barbara Alexander in 2013, and his eldest daughter, Shirley Jean Houghtaling in 1979. Born in Blossburg, PA, June 5, 1934, and raised in Keeneyville, PA, where spent his early years helping with his grandparents’ farm. He later worked on a neighbor’s farm that had a Piper J-3 Cub that sparked his love of flying. He graduated from Wellsboro High School in Wellsboro, PA in 1953. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1953, and was an aircraft control and warning operator. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. In 1957 he began working as an air traffic controller for FAA in Oklahoma City, OK. He has instrumental in opening many new airports, including First Flight Airport, Kill Devil Hills, NC. He retired in 1985, working at Miami International Airport in Miami, FL. Ron love of flying led him to earn his pilot’s license. In 1958 he took flying lessons in Norman, OK from Burrell Tibbs, an early aviation pioneer. He eventually bought his own airplanes, and frequented Grand Canyon Airport in Wellsboro, PA to visit his family. Ron loved to be around his family and friends. He took care of his niece, Shirley Beach, when she was a teen, and took many trips to Panama City to help with his young grandchildren. Later, he enjoyed outings with his lunch group. He was a member of Pembroke Road Baptist Church, starting in 1966 when he moved to Miramar, Florida. Later, he enjoyed attending the chapel at his home at Superior Residences of Panama City Beach, FL. A graveside service will be held on at 10:30 a.m., December 8, 2018, at Hollywood Memorial Gardens West, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood FL 33024. Pastor Danny Slavich will officiate. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

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Ronald "Ron" William Houghtaling

June 5, 1934 - October 29, 2018