Daniel Christopher Houston, 59, died on March 29, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Marja Houston; their two sons, Benjamin Houston and Brian Houston; his parents Dean and Nancy Houston; his brother, Tim (Karol) Houston; his mother-in-law, Marjo Erickson; his sister-in-law, Carlyn (Phil) Detweiler; his nieces, Sharra Houston and Lian Detweiler; and nephews, Connor Houston, Erick (Tessa) Detweiler, and Matt Detweiler.

Dan was born on March 17, 1964, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Nancy Houston and M. Dean Houston. Dan and his family then moved to Kennewick, Washington; Columbus, Ohio; and finally Darnestown, Maryland. He graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 1982 where he played on their varsity soccer team. He also played for county and regional teams and eventually for Montgomery County Community College, where in 1983 his team won the Junior College State Championship. Dan was always an athlete, and his love of sports went beyond playing soccer: he managed the girls high school soccer team, attended Washington Capitals games with his family, and played hockey, tennis, and church volleyball.

After graduating from Montgomery College, Dan continued his education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a B.S. in Accounting in 1986. Shortly after receiving his C.P.A. license, he worked at several accounting firms in Maryland before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina.

It was in Charlotte that Dan met Marja, even though they grew up in Maryland 10 miles apart and both of their parents knew each other through work and social gatherings. They married in May of 1992 and built a house in Boiling Springs the following year. Dan continued his work as a cost accountant in several industries in Forest City before becoming a financial analyst at Curtiss-Wright in Shelby in 2008.

Dan enjoyed the regular rhythms of his life including time with his wife and their two sons, walking the dog, yard work, and taking care of the neighborhood gates. Dan was faithful to his commitments to family, work, and community with attention to detail, care, and an easy smile. He valued learning new things and when there was a new project or dessert he wanted, he jumped into creating, fixing, baking, or cooking it up with enthusiasm and delicious results.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Dan's name to the Healthcare Foundation of Cleveland County to the Because We Care fund. This fund supports patients with cancer in our own community by providing funds for those needing groceries, cancer medication, and transportation to and from treatments. Memorials can be given online at healthcarefoundationcc.org or by mail to Healthcare Foundation Cleveland County, P.O. Box 550, Shelby, NC 28151.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Houston.