Kevin Wayne Houts

Kevin Wayne Houts was born on October 12, 1960 in Iowa City, Iowa, and passed away on August 17, 2022 in Palatka, Florida, as a result of a very aggressive form of cancer.

 

He is survived by his father and mother, Gary and Donna, his brother Mike, sister-in-law, Julie Houts, his sister, Amy Gilfriche, brother-in-law, Chris Gilfriche, and nieces and nephews; Joanna Houts Patel (and husband Sunny Patel), Matthew Houts, Le’a Gilfriche, and Tyler Gilfriche.  In addition, he leaves behind numerous cousins, uncles and aunts, including his Aunt Sandra Houts of Des Moines, Iowa, and many, many friends.

 

Kevin lived in the Hartford – Springfield area of New England his first 10 years and enjoyed all of the seasonal activities, including sledding, hiking and autumn leaves.  For several years in New England, he lived next to Robinson State Park, where he and his family enjoyed frequent hikes and bicycle rides.  He developed a love for cats at an early age upon getting his first one in New England

 

After moving back to Iowa for a couple of years, his family, including by then his two younger siblings, moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 1972.   He attended Pine View School and later the University of Florida where he became an ardent Gator fan.  He worked during his high school and college years, first mowing yards and later as an auto mechanic where he became certified in all categories of GMC’s Master Technician.

 

When he left college, he began his own auto repair business where he really enjoyed trouble shooting problems and effecting proper repairs.  With the advent of so many electronics in cars and the plug-and-play approach to problem solving, he decided to switch to a more challenging field and started his current company, “Yacht Specialists of St. Augustine”, which he owned and operated in St. Johns County for the past nearly three decades.

 

Kevin was a very talented self-taught Blues guitarist and really enjoyed playing his concert level Gibson when “jamming” with friends.  During his fifty years in Florida, Kevin made many life-long friends.  He always placed a high priority on serving a friend’s need.  He was a trusted and loyal friend and was always ready to lend a helping hand, even to complete strangers. 

 

He will be truly missed, not only by his loving family, but by virtually everyone with whom he had anything more than a casual acquaintance. 

 

Kevin is interred at Sarasota Memorial Park.  If you wish to make a donation in his memory, you might consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105