Houghton Drives

Madison- Houghton David Drives, 81, of Shorewood Hills, WI passed away on Jan. 21, 2014, at home with his family.

Born December 16, 1932 in Madison, WI, he shared nursery space at the hospital with his future wife Laura Lee Lane who was born two days later. As the years passed, Laura Lee and Houghtie kept crossing paths: playing viola in their respective neighborhood quartets, at local horse shows and as fellow West Regents.

Houghtie and Laura Lee married on Oct. 19th, 1957 at the Lane Home. Early in their marriage, they opened Hamilton Gallery, which showcased their mutual love for decorating and antiques. The years living on Lake Mendota Drive were filled with joy, including hosting grand parties catered by Rosetta and written up with flourish by Louise Marston. Annual family vacations with the grandchildren in Elkhart Lake were filled with fun and laughter, especially while enjoying daiquiris before dinner. His dry humor and wit will long be remembered.

If you wanted to know anything about Madison history, Houghtie would know, he was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. He enjoyed reading multiple papers each day, taking long walks and watching his favorite Judge shows. For years walking around the Square with either his wife or his friend Rick was a daily outing. He retired early from the State of Wisconsin, only to return for another 20+ years. He enjoyed riding the bus each day and chatting with his bus buddies.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith Drives and his brother John.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Laura Lee; and children, David Drives (Diane), Madison, WI; LeAnne Drives, Cedarburg, WI. He is also survived by grandchildren Nicole (fianc� Nick Bennett) and Michael Drives, Madison, WI; his sister in law, Sharon Drives, Lake Havasu City, AZ.

The family is planning a memorial service to celebrate his life later in the year. In honor of Houghtie serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and to thank all veterans, donations may be made to Badger Honor Flight, Wounded Warrior Project or lonesurvivorfoundation.org.