james houston obit

[Mark]

James D. Houston, Santa Cruz author, dies
Kevin Fagan, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, April 24, 2009


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James D. Houston's insightful books about the American West and the Pacific Rim always had telling, almost lyrical arcs to their narratives. And in the end, he achieved one last lyrical arc - in his own life.


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In one of Mr. Houston's most lauded novels, 2001's "Snow Mountain Passage," he wrote poignantly of the Donner Party's famous deadly journey through the Sierra Nevada in the winter of 1846-47, focusing particularly on one family's survival to become California pioneers.

So it was only fitting that when Mr. Houston knew cancer was about to claim him, he asked that his final hours be spent in his Santa Cruz home - a home that, years before, had been the place where Patty Reed Lewis, a member of that same Donner Party family he wrote about, spent her final hours as well.

"Jim had a really strong link to that place, and it was very special that he made it back there for his passing," said Santa Cruz writer Geoffrey Dunn, a longtime friend. "He got to die there surrounded by family and friends."

And, most fittingly, history.


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