Joseph Horton

Joseph W. Horton of Grove, Oklahoma died at 7:48 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Integris Grove General Hospital in Grove after a brief illness. He was 80. Mr. Horton was born September 7, 1927 in Iola, Kansas to Ben and Thelma Horton. Mr. Horton proudly served his country in the Navy as a Lt. JG. Joseph celebrated his 18th birthday during his first tour of duty during World War II. Mr. Horton's second tour of duty during the Korean War began on January 3, 1951. He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1952. Mr. Horton was a former owner of both Atkinson Industries in Pittsburg, KS, and Lakeland Real Estate in Ketchum, OK. He also worked as a broker with Butler Real Estate in Langley, OK and with ERA John Hausom in Grove. He was a self-employed appraiser. Though he was heavily involved in flying and until recent years, was an avid flyer. Having at one time, owned Horton's Flying Service in Pittsburg, KS where he had taught hundreds how to fly, Joe's main interest was his wife and family and being supportive of them. Joe was always very positive and continued to make plans for the future. He loved to toast a gathering by saying, "Health, Wealth and Happiness and the time to enjoy them". He held memberships in the American Legion, and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Mr. Horton had lived in San Diego, CA, Salina, KS but he called Pittsburg, Kansas home until moving to the Grand Lake area approximately 20 years ago. Mr. Horton was a Methodist and a faithful viewer and contributor of Dr. Robert Schuller's Hour of Power. On December 9, 1967 he married Jackie in Girard, Kansas. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include one son, Sandy Horton and his wife Shari of Pittsburg, KS; three daughters and their husbands, Lynda and Bob Summers of Joplin, MO, Penny and Luther Smith of Girard, KS, and Dana and James Cook of Ft. Worth, TX; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Thelma Horton; one brother, Frank Horton; one daughter, Connie Munson; and one granddaughter, Meghan Smith. The funeral will be Friday, April 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel in Grove with Rev. Gary Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m., in Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kansas. Pallbearers will be Bryan Cook, Craig Cook, Adam Morris, Troy Morris, John Cheney, Andrew Smith, Nathan Smith, and Sheldan Smith. The family suggests memorials to the American Legion in memory of Mr. Horton. Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home of Grove is in charge of arrangments and on-line condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com

Service Details

Friday, April 4th, 2008 10:00am, Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home - Grove

Interment Details

Highland Park Cemetery