In Loving Memory
James Haughton
James Gray Haughton (95), was born March 30, 1925 in Panama City, Panama. He received his high school education in San Jose, Costa Rica and then went on to earn degrees first at Pacific Union College in 1947, and then his M.D. at Loma Linda University in 1950. “Jim” as he was affectionately called, then went on to complete his fellowship at Unity Hospital specializing in OB/GYN and abdominal surgery between 1951 & 1955. Between 1956 & 1958, Jim enlisted in the SNR Medical Corps as a Lieutenant Commander. From 1959 thru 1960 James continued his education at N.Y.U. Postgraduate Medical School in General Internal Medicine. He went on to receive his post graduate education at Columbia University School of Public Health and Administrative Medicine to receive his MPH in 1962.
Throughout his career Jim worked in many segments of the public health arena in NYC, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. Jim’s legacy includes the prestigious role as Executive Medical Director of NYC Health Dept. and the First Deputy Commissioner of Hospitals in the NYC Department of Hospitals for 10 years. He then served another 10 years as Executive Director of the Health and Hospitals Governing Commission of Cook County in Chicago. His legacy also includes numerous publications, honors, and awards. He retired in Chicago, IL with his wife in at the age of 78.
Jim enjoyed travelling with his wife, photography, the opera, Art, reading, and time with family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Gray Haughton, his beloved wife (Vivian), and his son, James Haughton, Jr. He is survived by 1 daughter, Paula Haughton Easter (Johnny) of Gaston, NC; 3 grandsons, James Haughton 3rd of Burlington, NC, Justin Roy of Rocky Mount, NC, and Christopher Easter of Gaston, NC; 3 great grandchildren: James Haughton IV, Alana Easter, and Christopher Easter Jr.
James was raised by his beloved “adoptive” family to the parentage of Casper and Myrtle Omphroy. From that family he is survived by 1 brother Cecil Omphroy of Florida; and 2 sisters, Winona Ettrick and Bonnie White of Arizona; and a host of nieces and nephews.
James is also survived by his beloved sister-in-law Arlene Sodini (Chicago) who was with him until the end and beyond.
Online Celebration of Life
Sunday, December 13
4:00 PM Eastern / 3:00 PM Central / 1:00 PM Pacific / 11:00 AM Hawaii
Please join us for a celebration of James’s life. Information on how to join the ceremony is below.
Before the day of the ceremony
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On the day of the ceremony
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Guestbook
Please join us in celebrating James’s life by sharing your stories and memories of him.
Those of us who knew and worked with Dr. Haughton in the Los Angeles Count Department of Health Services/Public Health remember and appreciate his cheerful attitude, collegial approach, sense of humor, insights, generosity and accomplishments. Lots of good stories to share about working with Jim.
Would love to hear your stories! Thank you for your kind words.
It was and will always be a pleasure in knowing and working with my dear friend Dr. James G. Haughton we worked together at the King/ Drew medical center in Los Angeles rest well in heaven my friend.
Dr. H would sometimes talk about his life coming from Panama for school. At one point he had a job starting up the large fans to prevent frost in the citrus groves in Redlands when nights would drop to freezing. He said he always marveled that, coming from Central America, that it could get so cold here in California and that it was a good thing he didnt need much sleep because he had to stay awake for the frost warnings! For alot of people that job would have been too hard, but for Dr. H. it was just incidental on a clearly and determined focused path for his life. Such a great man and weren’t we all lucky to know him!
❤️
Dr. Haughton was always a “calming influence” no matter how difficult, or “political” the situation we faced. His vast public health experience at the highest levels of leadership allowed him to guide our team through the most difficult situations. To panic or give-up was not in his DNA.
Yes, his calming nature was always welcome when I was in trouble as a mischievous child. He never raised his voice when I did something wrong. I did get lectures though! I guess he used me to practice giving lectures 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, A. Nelson El Amin. And thank you for being a part of the memorial service. It meant alot to me and the rest of the family.
Today is a difficult time as I express remarks regarding Dr. James Haughton. I was Dr. Haughton’s Administrative Assistant at the Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center from 1987-1993 (6 years) and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 1993-2004 (11 years), a total of 17 years. We worked as a team. With his guidance and leadership, it helped me to achieve success in my career. Learning from him was a valuable experience that I’ll always treasure. He gave his best to his job and inspired his employees to do the same. He was a great person of history. I admired his ability to read a one-page document in 30 seconds and tell you what needed to be done. My appreciation for his leadership will always be remembered. With all my thanks for being the best boss in the world. After his retiring in 2004 and moving to Chicago he continued to be my guide, my friend, and my strength. I will truly miss our monthly chit chats. I was invited by Dr. & Mrs. Haughton to visit them in Woodstock, IL. Although I did not make it, I did attend his 90th Birthday celebration in Phoenix, AZ. My last conversation with him was the first week in November. A great tree has fallen.. who can take its place?
My life was blessed when I met Dr. Haughton in 1999 when I returned to work at L.A. County Public Health. I am so grateful that I along with a few of Dr. Haughton’s previous Public Health staff had the opportunity to spend time with him when he visited Los Angeles for his 90th birthday and we surprised him with a birthday luncheon.
I remember when myself and another co-worker in the office were speaking in Spanish and Dr. Haughton joined the conversation, I was so surprised that he spoke such fluent Spanish and he said to me “girl,” I’m from Panama. After that he would quiz me regularly, and we would laugh so hard at my pronunciation of words.
Dr. Haughton lived an amazing life. He will forever be in my heart.
The story goes that as a baby there were times when I was given to fussing and generally inconsolable. I am told that I was instantly soothed when Uncle Jimmy held me.
I don’t doubt the story, though I have no recollection of it, because every conversation we had as adults were consistent. Caring, patient, wise, thoughtful, considerate, and generous.
I learned from every interaction with him and take away so much of how to interact with others (known and unknown) because of Uncle Jim.
I’m grateful we enjoyed a good relationship with one another, more grateful to call him family. Bust most grateful to have his example.
Yes, Olga, I don’t know why he didn’t teach me any spanish! Thank you for your kind words.
During his time as Medical Director in the LA County Dept. of Public Health Dr. Haughton was a wonderful influence – always cheerful, always willing to take on another assignment, always making time to mentor, and to give me confidence. He enthusiastically shared his vast knowledge and experience of public health, guided, encouraged, stopped by to chat or offer, “How would you like to go to the ACPM meeting? I have the funds.” He gave me opportunities for which I will forever be grateful. And I will not forget how at a chance week-end meeting at a nursery, when neither of us looked very professional, we discussed various departmental issues which ultimately led to a special credentialing process for DPH clinic physicians; he listened, he understood, he acted. Ever the charming, warm and caring gentleman his leadership has had a lasting influence on those of us who had the privilege to know and to work with him.
I met and got to know and love the suave Dr. James G. Houghton when I arrived in Brooklyn, NY from Panama in 1959 as teenager. He was an esteemed friend of my uncle and his wife, Henry and Anesta Samuels and he lived around the corner from their house. He became my “doctor” and I still have thoughts of him making house visits to see me whenever I did not feel well. His manner was always calm and resolute and after he completed his examination of you, he stood, took off his gloves and stated reassuringly that you appear to have contracted a “bug” and that he would write a prescription for something that will clear everything up in a few days; get rest, eat and drink a lot of fluids, including water. Any changes, call me. After that talk I always felt better immediately. He was a remarkable humble man who moved and served with others with humility efficiently. I am no 80 years old and thank God for the care and mentoring Sir JGH rendered to me and my family members. Rest in eternal peace Mr. Houghton.