On December 2, 1941, James Houston Jr. was born to Ernestine Nichols & James Houston Jr. in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. He had one younger sister: Caroline Virgil Houston Perkins. He was affectionately known as "Man" to his friends and family.  He passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021

James Jr. was the son of a Sharecropper, born on St. Emma's Plantation. As a child, "Man" , loved the Bayou life. There he learned how to live off the land. "Man" learned how to garden, hunt and fish. In 1945, when James Jr. was 10 years old, his father was stationed at Fort Monroe Army Base in Hampton Va. His father called his brother-in-law, sister, and niece and told them to pack up and relocate their family to Virginia.

"Man" attended Carver High School. There he met his late wife, Mary Ann Swilling Houston. They married on May 8, 1962. He was an incredibly talented singer.  He inherited his love of music from his father James Sr., who played the harmonica. "Man" was the lead singer of two groups, Bendel & The Co-ops and The Del-Tones. He was a finalist at Showtime at The Apollo. During his time as a performer, James Jr. was able to meet other famous Black entertainers such as Ike & Tina Turner and Otis Redding. "Man" enjoyed hanging with the fellas. He loved to joke, laugh and be happy. However, he also was a sharpshooter with his words and would often tell it like it was. "Man" took pride in his bayou heritage. He loved to cook his special recipes which were inspired by his hometown roots such as gumbo, fillet mignon, and pork shoulder. He passed down those recipes to his children.

As a young man coming from humble beginnings, James Jr. understood the value of a Black-owned business. He was a multi-entrepreneur in the Hampton & Newport News area. He was the owner and founder of Houston's Lounge nightclub. He said the reason he bought the club was because his children loved the nightlife, and he wanted to keep them together and make sure they were always safe. He also was a real estate investor. After working for Lander Floor Company and Hampton Roads Floor Company, James Jr. decided to go into business for himself. In 1973, He founded Houston Floor Service, which has a reputation of being the best flooring company to this day. His legacy that he leaves to his children is the importance of Black own family business and self-sufficiency.

"Man" loved the water. He owned several boats, loved to fish, and would often take his grandchildren fishing on his boat. Even through adverse times he was resilient and did whatever he needed to do in order to keep food on the table. He loved all his children and grandchildren. He later remarried Juanita Witherspoon.

With his family by his side, James Houston Jr., age 79 was called to be with the Lord on March 20, 2021. He was proceeded in death by his parents, James Houston Sr. & Ernestine Nichols Houston; his first wife, Mary Ann Houston; sister, Caroline Houston Perkins; three grandsons, Corey and Elijah Wells, Jerome Houston, and great-grandson, Trey Lee Houston.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: son, Antoine Witherspoon (Lisa Wells) of VA.; daughter, Yvette (Oterrio) Brown of Ct.; James Houston III of VA., Jerome (Anita) Houston of VA.; Shiela Ann (Eugene) Ricks of VA.; 15 Grandchildren; Brittnee Porter, Oterrio Brown, Andre'us Lee, Shawn Houston, Antoinette Witherspoon, Antoine Wells, Ta'Quita Houston, Donte Houston, Eugene Houston, Ashantae Witherspoon, Gina Houston, Jada Wells, Jasmine Ricks, Jamiah Houston, and Kingsley James Bias-Witherspoon, 20 Great-Grandchildren; Mother-in-Law Pearlie Swilling and of host nieces nephews cousins and friends in Virginia and Louisiana.

The viewing will be held 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, March 26, 2021 at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666.