James Kent HouchinApril 15, 1944 - April 3, 2008Jim was born in Los Angeles, Calif., the youngest of 4 brothers. He graduated from Albany Union High School after which he moved to San Francisco where he worked as a brake specialist. Jim then relocated to Los Angeles where he began his career as a machinist. He initially worked at Rocketdine Corp., where he made lunar landing parts. He then began working for Prima Engineering machine shop where for the next 20 years, he managed the business and a shop of 60 to 80 machinists. In 1992 Jim returned to Albany. Jim was employed as a master machinist at Korvis Automation, Corvallis. He previously worked for ATS, Corvallis and ENTEK, Lebanon.Jim married Delores "Dee" on March 17, 1994, in Albany. They moved to Kings Valley in Dec. 2000, where they cleared land and lived on a small farm along the Luckiamute River.Jim loved working on cars throughout his entire life, having started building and racing hot rods in high school; later he was the "go to" guy for many hot rodders in Southern California whose cars still have specialized, precision parts he made just for that car.Jim is survived by his children, Bradley, Mark, Kelly, Jason, Lorrie, and Ashley ; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; three brothers, and his beloved wife, Dee.Jim was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he and Dee served in the children's program of the church. A memorial service in Jim's honor was held at the Philomath Chapel on April 5 with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues in attendance. A graveside services followed at Kings Valley Cemetery with Bishop Gary Lear presiding.The family requests any memorial contributions be directed to Linn-Benton Community College machinist training program or the Perpetual Education Fund via AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St. S.W., Albany, OR 97321 ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).