LaMar "Hap" Clyde Houghton, 78, of Atkinson passed peacefully from his earthly life Monday, April 30, 2012 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center.

He was born October 28, 1933 in Rock Cave, WV, the son of the late Marion Clyde and Delia Gay Strader Houghton. Hap was preceded in death by grandson, Channing Freeman; son-in-law, Darnell Freeman and sister, RosaLee Ash.

LaMar "Hap" is survived by his beloved family; his wife of 56 years, Almeta Malpass Houghton; children, Richard Straight of New Cumberland, WV, Jackie Freeman of Bolton, Tim Houghton (Denise) and Gretchen Thomas both of Surf City, and Lisa Corbett (Timmy) of Atkinson; grandchildren, GrayAnna Freeman, Gabrielle Corbett, Ben Houghton, Madison Thomas and Preston Corbett; great granddaughter, Madilyn Patrick; sister, Ilene Newton; brothers, Jackson Houghton and Dale Houghton; extended family, Cathy, Dustin, Matthew, Ryan, Erica, Chris and LeighRae.

As a young man Hap worked with the Burgaw Police Dept, was a volunteer with the Burgaw Fire Department and for 20 years was a volunteer with Pender County Rescue Squad. He was a member of Caswell Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and elder. LaMar served his country honorable in the US Navy.

Hap was a devoted husband and loving daddy, granddaddy, brother and friend. He was a man of Christian faith who served his Lord, his family and his community with honor and dedication. Many will remember Hap being a very skilled carpenter in his home repair business. Hap was a kind and gentle man who was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. Hap's gentle smile, his love for his family and his steadfast in God will always be cherished and remembered.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Caswell Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Roy Brewton, C.L.P. Richard Wurtzel and the Rev. William Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Woodcock Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Bill Whaley, Ed Burns, Ross Floyd, Nick Squires, Cary Rivenbark, and Leddell Casey. Honorary bearers will be Bruce Williams, W. D. Watkins, Jr., Dallas Walker, Luther Whitehurst, Mark Jordan, N. H. Carter, Jack Murphy, Billy Murphy, John Ferrell, Matt Wilson, George Highsmith, Jr., Blue Flynn, Herbert Pate, representative from Burgaw Police Dept, Pender County Rescue Squad and Burgaw Fire Dept.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the church fellowship hall until hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Caswell Presbyterian Church, PO Box 189, Atkinson, NC 28421.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting "Memory Wall" above.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Caswell Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Roy Brewton, C.L.P. Richard Wurtzel and the Rev. William Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Woodcock Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the church fellowship hall until hour of the service.