Ronald Edmond Houchin Obituary, Death – Ronald Edmond Houchin, 75, of South Point, Ohio, died May 14, 2022. He was a widely published writer, a teacher, a father, and a friend. He was born in National City, California to Etta and Harold Houchin and grew up in Huntington, West Virginia. He lived for the greater part of his life on the northern banks of the Ohio River.
He graduated from Huntington East High School in 1964 and continued his education at Marshall University. There he completed a B.A. and a Master’s in Education. He taught English for thirty years at Fairland High School in Ohio and remained in touch throughout his life with many grateful students.
He retired in 2001, pursuing a successful writing career that includes ten volumes of poetry, a short story collection, and one young adult novel. His most recent book of poems is Talking to Shadows from Louisiana State University Press in 2020.
A few highlights of his long career include his appearance as a featured speaker at the Dublin Writers Festival in 2001. He also won the Appalachian Book of the Year Award in 2005 and the Weatherford Award for Poetry in 2011. A volume of his selected poems, The Quiet Jars, was released in 2013 from Salmon Poetry of Ireland.
He was a participant, and an instructor, at writing workshops in Prague, Dublin, Key West, Hindman, and other locations. He gave public readings of his work at scores of venues on both sides of the Atlantic. He was an inveterate traveler, having made thirty trips to his beloved Ireland, as well as to his favorite places inside the U.S. including Maine, New Mexico, Florida, and much of Appalachia. He was also a lifelong film buff, gun enthusiast, and a lover of nature as well as the supernatural.
He is survived by two daughters, Natalie McCormick (Houchin), spouse Brian McCormick, and their son Griffin McCormick of Cincinnati, Ohio and Leigh-Ann Houchin of Columbus, Ohio. He is also remembered by three long-time friends, fellow film buff and gamer Patrick Estep of Leesburg, Virginia, poet Art Stringer of Huntington, and filmmaker Shayne Barker, also of Huntington.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sharon Hensley (James) of Vero Beach, Florida. He was also preceded in death by his long-time artist friend and fellow motorcyclist Ariyan of South Point, Ohio.
Arrangements are with Wallace Family Funeral Home, South Point, OH. In lieu of gifts/flowers, you are welcome to make a donation in Ron’s name to his favorite animal rescue, Southern Ohio Wolf Sanctuary.
A Life Remembrance Celebration will be held 3 PM – 6 PM at Black Sheep Burrito, Huntington, WV.
