By Jack Houvouras
HQ 54 | WINTER 2005
The gentleman on the cover of this edition of the magazine was one of the Huntington community’s most accomplished leaders. He was a proud veteran of World War II where he earned a Letter of Commendation from the Commanding Officer of his ship for shooting down a Japanese kamikaze at the Invasion of Okinawa. He was an entrepreneur who was instrumental in the formation of several local companies including Huntington Plating, Sterling Supply, C.I. Thornburg and Steel of West Virginia. He was active in politics, playing a key role in President John F. Kennedy’s landmark win in the West Virginia primary. He was involved in numerous civic affairs, including the first Civil Rights Commission, the Peace Corps, Marshall University, Special Olympics and the Coalition for the Homeless. He was elected to the Huntington Wall of Fame and was named one of Huntington’s “50 Most Influential People” of the 20th century by the editors of The Herald-Dispatch. He was also my father.
Andrew J. Houvouras was a man that the Huntington Quarterly should have profiled years ago. However, because I felt awkward publishing an article about a member of my family, the article never materialized.
I lost my father on Sept. 19, 2003. He was 84. Following his death, I promised myself that I would one day share his story with the readers of this magazine. That day has finally arrived. In writing the article for this edition of the magazine, it is my hope that, in some small way, you will get to know my father as I did. If I’ve done my job, you will.
I’m the man I am today because of my father. My love of Huntington and the state of West Virginia were things I inherited. And while he may not have known it while he was alive, he is one of the main reasons I became a writer.
As a young boy in second grade, I remember the first time I had to write a poem for school and my father helped me – so much so that the teacher knew it was beyond my capabilities and called me in for an earnest chat. Years later I entered an essay contest on “What the American Flag means to me.” My Dad, who was a proud veteran, was even more proud when I was one of three local winners to have my picture appear in the local newspaper.
In high school, my father seemed to enjoy reading my papers, often telling me I had a “flare for writing.” When I was away at college, he wrote me the kindest letters filled with the warmest sentiment. Looking back at those letters now, I realize he was pretty handy with the pen himself.
Originally, my Dad wanted me to use my writing talent as a springboard to law school. “It would be great to have an attorney in the family,” he would say. That was the savvy businessman talking. But deep down, I think my father was proud of the fact that I ultimately decided to follow my calling to become a writer.
One of the things I will always remember about my Dad was how much he loved a good quote. From the time I was old enough to read, he would share inspiring words of wisdom with me. From Emerson to Churchill to Kennedy, he was always reciting words he felt held special meaning. In college, he would even mail me clippings of quotes he had found in various newspapers or magazines. There is no question that he held the value of the written word in the highest regard.
I wish my father had lived long enough to see me write the great American novel, but that is something that may never happen. However, while penning his story, I found myself scribbling the same words over and over again on a legal pad. It is a quote that sums up my feelings about my father and words I think he would have enjoyed: “Lucky is the man whose father is his hero.”
I may not be Emerson, but that one is for you Dad.
