John "Jack" Houfek, 81, of Sarasota, Florida, previously of Rochester and Thief River Falls, Minnesota passed away peacefully at his home in his sleep on November 12, 2025.

The first 18 years of his professional life were spent in the skilled trades as an accomplished Drywaller in the Rochester area before he went back to school as an adult and obtained his teaching degree from St. Cloud College – and spent the next 18 years teaching kids how to dream big, dive deep, and occasionally score a hat trick on rollerblades before his retirement.

Born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Jack graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962. He was blessed with a Midwestern grit and work ethic that allowed him to excel in his first career and later made him the teacher his students remembered as caring not only for their education but their future success . He taught business education and a few life lessons at Venice Middle School, Riverview High School, Sarasota Military Academy, and the School of Innovative Arts. He had a knack for turning classrooms into launchpads: at Venice Middle, his entrepreneurial program paired students with real businesses—like Ben & Jerry's on St. Armands Circle, where scooping ice cream counted as career training. He created an executive leadership program that took high schoolers to Tallahassee to lobby legislators (yes, teenagers in suits). And at Riverview, he sponsored roller hockey, because nothing says "business education" like a good body check.

Jack hunted from Minnesota to Montana and Florida, fished on freshwater lakes and the Gulf coastal waters, spending some of that time spearfishing below the surface as a certified scuba diver. He generally treated the outdoors like his second home and was closest to his Creator when in nature. He believed fresh air and a little risk built character—especially if it involved a deer stand at dawn or a reef at 60 feet. His years at the encampment at River Ranch were where some of his better memories with friends were created around a quiet campfire away from the hectic city.

He is preceded in death by his infant son, Todd Houfek; an infant sister, Donna Marie Houfek; his parents, Donald J. and Marian Houfek (Boltman); and niece, Kristin Ann Schneider . He will be remembered by his sons, Tony Houfek (Carreen), Steven Houfek (Laura); their mother, Connie; grandchildren, Nathan Houfek, Alliana Disrud (Connor), Bradley Houfek, Megan Haller (Cole), Andy Houfek, Emma Houfek; three great grandchildren, Mason, Griffin and Allison Houfek; former wife & beloved best friend, Pam Hart; siblings, Marcia Mussmann (Gary), D. Jeffrey Houfek

(Vicki), Mark Houfek (Kristin); 13 nieces and nephews, many relatives and good friends. He is deeply missed, fondly remembered, and probably already organizing a pickup hockey game somewhere with better ice.

A longtime member of Beneva Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Jack lived his faith quietly: straightforward, honest, and always ready to help. Jack was the man who showed up—with tools, advice, or a truck.

Services are being planned and coordinated with family. Check back for details.