
October 12, 1937 ~ June 17, 2014
Merle Carl Houchin, age 76, went to be with his Lord and friend on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 10:00pm.
Carl was born in Canton, Oklahoma on October 12th, 1937 to Zenia Elizabeth Cook Houchin and William Oria Houchin. He spent the first eleven years of his childhood living and playing on the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation in Oklahoma where he had many friends and lived out a part of his childhood seeking and living out adventures on the Indian Reservation. He was given the name Merle Carl Houchin from his parents, but went by Carl. Carl had 9 brothers and sisters. Fredrick Orn, Olive Lavina, James Lloyd, Asa Earl, Alice Maxine, Edwin Ralph, Eva Mae, Mary Geraldine, Alfred Leo and the baby of the family was Merle “Carl”. Carl’s mother was never afraid to let anyone and everyone the she met know that Carl was her “baby”, even after Carl was a grown man with grown children. Carl was very proud to hold that position of honor in the Houchin family and in his mother’s eyes.
Carl and his family moved to Caldwell, Kansas in 1948, when Carl was eleven years old. Carl attended school in Caldwell and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1957. Carl attended college in Winfield at Southwestern College. Carl’s career dream was to become a barber, but instead spent almost his whole career working at Beech Aircraft as a Took Grinder and Instructor. In November, 1957 Carl married his high school sweetheart Judy Arlene Kollmorgan and they built a life together and raised their three daughters in Caldwell: Terrie Kaye born October 8, 1958, Teresa Faye born June 21, 1961 and Delana Dee born January 23, 1965.
From the time Carl was a very small boy, until the time of his death, he always owned a dog. At one point in Carl’s life he raised, bred and trained Hunting Dogs. One of the dogs that Carl raised, trained and later sold was named “Nebraska Bird Dog of the Year”.
Carl at one time in his life spoke very fluent Navaho and had worked to teach his daughters and grandsons a few phrases and greetings in Navaho.
Carl had 7 grandsons. During his life, there was a running competition between Carl and his seven grandsons as to who was the “Bull Moose” of the family. Carl would tell them that he was the “Bull Moose” and they were his “Satellite Moose”. The entire time his grandsons grew up around their grandfather, there was never a time the family was together that this butting of horns wouldn’t take place of establishing who was the “Bull Moose” of the Houchin family.
During Carl’s career he spent 6 years working at the Caldwell Coop, 13 years as an EMT for the Caldwell Ambulance Service, and 34 years as a Tool Grinder and Instructor for Beech Aircraft where he retired in October of 1999. Carl had a dream of becoming a Hunting Guide. In 2002 he saw his dream come to fruition. Carl became a Professional Hunting and Fishing Guide and started a Hunting Guide business called “Kansas Whitetail Outfitters”. During that time of being a Professional Hunting and Fishing Guide, Carl made five Television Shows that was broadcast on National Television.
Even from a small boy Carl was very patriotic. He saw every one of his brothers go off to war, and as a small boy Carl could hardly wait until he was old enough to be called into service for his country. By the time Carl was old enough to be drafted, the war had ended, therefore, Carl was never able to fulfill his dream of serving his county in the military. Even still, Carl’s patriotism to his county never waned. He was always honored to meet service men and would always take the time to thank them for their service. Carl would go out of his way to ensure that anything he purchased was “American Made”. He would even lecture his other family members about buying items or using services that were not American. One time Carl decided he needed to replace the tires on his RV. He spent months making calls and doing research online before he found some tires for his RV that he was confident was made and manufactured in only the United States of America.
A few honors that Carl holds in his hunting and fishing career are: In 2002 Carl was placed in the Manitoba Canada Record book for the largest Canadian Black Bear. The bear was taken with a 50 caliber Muzzle Loader Rifle that Carl built himself in the mid 1970’s. He brought the Black Bear home and had it mounted and was displayed in his home for many years. It is now on display at the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene, Kansas. Carl also holds a Kansas State Record for an Antelope he took in 1992. Presently Carl has many wildlife trophy mountings that he earned, that are on display, that he has donated to Kansas Fish and Wildlife Park Organizations around the state of Kansas.
Carl was an active member of the Caldwell Christian Church. He was a coach for the Caldwell Girls Fastpitch Softball Teams for over 20 years and even coached several teams to the National Softball Tournament. Carl loved to do anything outdoors. He lived a life of “adventure”. He hunted whitetail deer, moose, bear, ducks, turkeys, wild boars, geese and many other types of wildlife. He fished in many states in America and Canada and had the opportunity on several occasions to do deep sea fishing on the open ocean. He also loved to ride his ATV in the mountains of Colorado, take hunting and fishing trips to Canada, take his RV on the open road, often not even knowing where he would be going or end up. He also loved to take long road trips with some of his close friends on his motorcycle. Carl could often be found at various lakes across Kansas and other states fishing and camping with his dog and companion “Tanner”.
In Carl’s later years he could often be seen around Caldwell driving his pride and joy, his 1930 Ford Model A. He was an active member of the Model A Ford Car Club in Wichita and the Border Queen Cruisers Car Club in Caldwell and was Vice President of Wichita A’s Club in 2007 and 2008. Carl had recently taken a trip to Colorado and driven his Ford Model A to the top of Pikes Peak, taken a trip with his Model A Ford Car Club to New Orleans and many other faraway places.
Carl is preceded in death by his Father - William Oria Houchin, Mother – Zenia Elizabeth Cook Houchin; Brothers – Fredrick Orn, James Lloyd, Asa Earl, Edwin Ralph, and Alfred Leo; Sisters – Olive Lavina, Alice Maxine, and Mary Geraldine.
Survivors include Carl’s sister - Eva Mae Houchin (81) of Derby, Kansas, Daughters – Terrie Kaye Breitigan of Wichita, Teresa Faye Alexander of Wichita and Delana Dee Morris of Wichita, Son-in-law – Cameron Bryan Morris of Wichita. Seven Grandsons, Jason Conrad Breitigan (35) of Wichita, Westen Lee Alexander (30) of Wichita, Joshua Paul Breitigan (29) of Valley Center, Heath Ryan Alexander (28) of Manhattan, Private First Class Jacob Andrew Breitigan, United States Army (24) of Fort Drum, New York (presently serving active duty in Afghanistan), Buckley Blane Alexander (23) of Kansas City, MO, and Casey Joe Rodriguez (21) of Wichita. Two Great-Grandchildren Lilly Rose Breitigan (5) of Valley Center and Timothy J Wayne (1) of Valley Center. Also included are many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members. And his best friend and companion, his dog Tanner.
Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2014 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in memory of Carl to the Kansas Humane Society or to the Central Christian Church.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
gary and louise mcgregor
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
Our hearts are sadden by the news of Carls death... he was a g ood friend and we will miss him both in our church family and as a close friend...always a smile and a hug from him.....
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Chet May
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
Sorry to hear that we lost Carl. He was one of our great classmates.
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Marilyn and Jerry Houlden
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
We were sorry to learn of Carl's passing. One of Marilyn's CHS classmates, he was quick to speak and smile when we saw him. His planned trip to Estes sounds so much like him. We send our sympathy to his family.
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Alan Kubik
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
I am saddened to learn of the death of my C.H.S classmate and my condolences go out to his family.
Carl sent me E-mails of support when I was being treated for Cancer and those meant a great deal to me.
Bless his soul.
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Jim Messing
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
I am deeply touched by Karls passing. He made a lot freinds while he was here, including me.
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Sannie Wykes
Family and Friends - 06/20/2014
I'm so sorry for your loss, prayers and hugs to family.
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Jim & Beth Bolte
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
Our sincere condolence to Carl's family.
He was our classmate and friend, and we will
cherish his memory. May God welcome you home, Carl.
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Cheryl Warner
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
Was so sorry to hear of Carl's passing. Have known him for a long time. His girls and our girls played softball together . When he came back to Caldwell, he always asked Michelle about the bulldogs we had back then. She said he still talked to her about the one whose name was Harry S. Truman. He always had a smile. Hope you girls can treasure all the memories and smile.
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Don Wykes
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
So very sorry to hear of Carls passing. I have many happy memories of growing up with Carl as my friend. God bless and a happy journey.
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Marilyn Allen
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
I will miss Carl very much, we were opposite when it came to politics but we both were lovers of our doggies and had some wonderful camping experiences. On our way back from Canada, we visited some of his relatives he had never met. I will miss my sparring partner. My heart goes out to his girls.
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Jerome & Judy Niebaum
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
So sorry Carl has left us. He will be missed.
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Elizabeth (Houchin) Guggenbickler
Family and Friends - 06/21/2014
To All of my extended family:
Uncle Carl was a wise and gentle man. He carried the Houchin's stubborn gene, for sure, but underneath the differences in opinion, was a man full of love, gratitude and compassion. Uncle Carl remained nearby and was a rock during my time of grief. I wish you all the strength and love and support needed during this time of tremendous loss. God bless, and may you find comfort in one another's stories and memories held dear.
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Frank Chenoweth
Family and Friends - 06/22/2014
Although Carl and i Worked at Raython, I did not know Carl until we took a trip to Colorado in the Model A. Enjoyed the visits with him and was sorry when his health kept him from coming to the Model A events. He will be missed. Will always remember the Colorado Trip.
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Pat Lehman
Family and Friends - 06/22/2014
Mick and I worked together at Beech for many years, usually at machines next to or at least near each other. We argued about anything and everything. He would tell me he was going hunting with a stick and string and I would accuse him of trying to kill Bambi's Mother! (I come from a large hunting family so he knew I was is pulling his leg on that one.) He swore the deer would just get out of range and then roll on the ground laughing at him with his "stick and string". We shared good times and sad times, and probably knew more about each others kids than anyone else. I yelled at him when he had a heart attack and accused him of trying to go off and leave me with no one to fuss with at work. He helped me through many tough days. I went on leave to work for another group, but still kept in touch. My husband always told Mick he felt sorry for him for having to listen to me all day! I hate knowing he is gone-he was as good a friend as I ever had.
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Lawrence and Lenette Kottas
Family and Friends - 06/22/2014
It was a real pleasure to know Carl. Our friendship was through the Wichita A Model club. Did an excellent job of organizing tours. One out standing example was on the Turner Ranch. Had a smile for everyone and ready to help out when he could. He was not a stranger to people and cared about people. Will miss him and his positive attitude. Proud to say we knew him.
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Mary Kern
Family and Friends - 06/27/2014
May God bless Carl in heaven and give peace to his family on earth
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Cessna Motorcycle Club
Family and Friends - 06/30/2014
We enjoyed riding Motorcycles with him. He was a great Club member and friend.
Carl was CMC Member #56. He joined the Club in 14 March 2004. Carl rode with us on Toy Runs and a few of our fun runs. One fun run I remember the most, was on a Breakfast ride to Sun City.
Carl will be missed but never forgotten.
Gary Bird
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Sibyl (Ingle) and Tom Snyder (Los Gatos, CA)
Family and Friends - 07/11/2014
We know Carl's very full life was celebrated in a special and wonderful service for relatives and friends. May the many good memories bring comfort to all.
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