Chad W. Houchin

Sigurd, Utah - Our cherished Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Favorite Uncle, cousin and friend, Chad Wilford Houchin, age 41, of Sigurd, was called home to his Heavenly Father after a brief and unexpected bout with cancer. He left this earth in the arms of the love of his life, surrounded by family & friends, Monday, February 3, 2014 in Provo, Utah. He was born October 18, 1972 in Bemidji, Minnesota to loving parents, Wilford Marion and Susan Marie Ungerecht Houchin. He is a baptized member of the Hope Lutheran Church with a soft spot for the LDS religion. He has always maintained a committed and loving relationship with his Heavenly Father. He enjoyed his childhood in Northome, Minnesota where he spent most of his time in the woods behind his house trapping and fishing. This is where he developed his love for the great outdoors. As a freshman he moved to Salina, Utah and graduated from North Sevier High School, Class of 1991, where he participated in several sports, his favorite of which was basketball. Before Chad had a driver’s license he spent his summers earning money mowing lawns, which he eventually used to purchase a 1974 Ford Falcon. He would ride his bike down to the local gas station to buy enough gasoline to back his car in and out of the driveway just to drive it. Most of his friends’ and his high school memories revolve around that car, which he has kept all of these years. Upon graduation, from May 1991 to Sept 1996, Chad served in the United States Airforce Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Chad became “The Dad He Didn’t Have To Be,” to three children when he married the love of his life, Jadie Bingham, on November 6, 1998.It would seem most people aren’t lucky enough to have the kind of love Chad and Jadie have, but the truth is that they made a choice every day to love each other, and worked every day on that choice. Chad always spoke of his wish for all of his friends to choose that kind of relationship too. He believed everyone could have the same kind of relationship, they just have to choose each other every single day. Chad adored Jadie. He never hesitated to tell the world what she meant to him. He honored her and told her so every single day. She is his every thing. He was such a proud dad, he constantly bragged about his four children and their accomplishments and supported his children in everything they participated in 110%. Chad and Jadie poured their heart and soul into the creation and operation of C&J Houchin Transport. Chad recently expressed his gratitude for the blessings in his life and the opportunity for all of his dreams to come true. He appreciated every person who assisted in building these dreams. Chad is the Mayor of Sigurd and also served his community by actively volunteering and participating in numerous civic and community functions. He is also a volunteer firefighter for the town of Sigurd. Chad loved his dogs, who miss him already. His favorite thing to do was spend time with his friends and family. Most people collect knickknacks, Chad collected people. Chad had the biggest heart and helped every person who came along his path. He considered everyone a friend. Chad also loved camping with his friends, hunting, fishing, shooting guns with his boys, trucks, riding horses with his dad and Kailey, and Dutch oven cooking. Throughout his life here on earth, Chad blessed us by showing what unconditional love looks and feels like. “Some people live fifty years, some people live fifteen minutes, I am so grateful for my fifteen minutes.” “What a deal – Yup” ~Chad Houchin Chad is survived by his parents, Wilford and Susan Houchin of Sigurd; his loving wife, Jadie of Sigurd; his children: Rhett Michael Nowell, currently serving on the US Marine Corp, based in Hawaii; Cody Douglas Nowell, Kailey Jade Nowell and Tracen Chad Houchin, all of Sigurd; his brothers: Vern Houchin of Sigurd, Ryan and Adrienne Houchin of Central Valley. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Halle Joy Houchin; and his grandparents: Vern and Wilma Ungerecht, Don Houchin and Alice Houchin. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. in the Richfield LDS Stake Center, 159 North 400 West in Richfield, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 9 P.M. or Saturday morning from 10:30 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the VFW Sevier Post #5050 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Sigurd Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.