Van Houten, Ronald Tee   	

GLADEWATER - Join us in a celebration of the life of Ronald Tee Van 
Houten at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2007, at Croley Funeral Home 
in Gladewater.

Ron was a lifelong resident of Gladewater, having been born on Wednesday, 
February 27, 1963, at Gladewater Municipal Hospital, to Roy and Linda 
Van Houten. After graduation from Gladewater High School in May 1981, Ron 
kicked around for a number of years at different jobs until the naphtha 
in his blood finally rose to the surface and he began his career as a 
machinist at his family's machine shop, XL Industries.

Ron's over-ruling passion in his life was literature, particularly the 
fantasy genre. "The guy who sits at the diner with a huge book" was a 
common sight and known by most in town. Personable, sweet and with a 
wickedly dry sense of humor, Ron was liked by everyone.

Never having been married and with no children, he considered his nieces 
and nephew his own, he leaves behind an extended family who will look back 
on his life and smile at having known this warm, funny and sometimes down-
right goofy man.

He is survived by his parents, Roy Tee and Linda Whitlock Van Houten of 
Gladewater; brothers, Kevin Van Houten and wife, Jeanette of The Colony, 
and Jason Van Houten and wife, Jeni of Blackwell, Missouri; sister, 
Stephanie Van Houten of Gladewater; nephew, Douglas Phillips of Gladewater; 
nieces, Christina Barrows and husband, Jason of Tyler, Kimberly Adams and 
husband, Michael of New Bern, North Carolina, Rebecca Van Houten of The 
Colony, Katherine Phillips of Gladewater, Alexandra Phillips of Gladewater, 
Krystal Van Houten of Blackwell, Missouri, and Cheyenne Van Houten of 
Blackwell, Missouri; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and a multitude of 
friends.

"Weep Not For the Memories"

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 4/25/2007.