Cover photo for Jack Horton's Obituary
Jack Horton Profile Photo
1924 Jack 2014

Jack Horton

July 25, 1924 — October 20, 2014

Jack Horton
Jack Horton – beloved patriarch and dear friend – died October 20th 2014 in Orange, Texas. Jack was born in his family’s home in Troup, Texas, on July 25, 1924 to Gertrude Terry and Samuel Wesley Horton. He was part of the “Greatest Generation” who came of age during the Great Depression.

In 1942, he traded his high school diploma for an Army M-1 carbine. This handsome 17-year-old – who’d never before traveled farther than 100 miles from home – served valiantly in the European theater with the 254th Engineer Combat Battalion. By 1944, these brothers-in-arms were eagerly anticipating R&R back home, but instead were sent to Belgium and, subsequently, into the Battle of the Bulge. “On Point,” the Online Journal of Army History said, “By destroying key bridges, creating obstacles, and fighting as infantry, the engineers delayed the Wehrmacht enough for the Allies to organize a counteroffensive. The engineers’ actions were so effective that it led SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) Joachim Peiper to mutter in frustration, ‘The damned engineers!’ after several key bridges were blown before he could cross them.” Modestly, Jack said he was famous for “digging the fastest foxhole.”

After leaving the service, Jack married Nellie Faye Shuttlesworth in 1947. They took great joy in rearing their two children: Charlotte Anne Jordan McClain, and Samuel Jack Horton – in Orange, Texas.

Jack was a trustworthy and loyal steward of Chevron-Phillips from 1955 until his retirement in the nineties. He worked long, hard, physically-demanding shifts to support his family, and commented many times on his appreciation of Chevron-Phillips and the work they afforded him.

Jack was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents and the love of his life, Nell Horton. He is survived by his daughter Charlotte and her companion Ben Rice, son Jack, grandchildren Caroline Jordan and wife Jennifer Wichmann, Samuel Thomas Horton and wife Kerry; and great-grandson Charles Horton. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

The family extends special thanks for the loving care of neighbors Connie and Ronnie Spruell and devoted friend Ginger Veal which allowed Jack to stay in his home years after Nell’s death. We also thank Drusilla Anderson, Yvette Cotton, Jerrie Curtis, and Molly Stringer for their warm, professional attention in his final year. These health care professionals worked long hours around the clock to ascertain he was well cared for. Additionally, they loved him. We would be remiss in not thanking the staff of Southeast Texas Hospice and particularly R.N. Debbie Hayes Goforth.



Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd from 3:00 until 5:00 at Claybar Funeral Home, Orange, Texas. The funeral, also at Claybar, will be Thursday at 12:00 with Reverend Lynn Ashcraft officiating. A luncheon reception will follow the services, at the Horton home. All are asked to attend. On Friday, the 24th, at 12:00 p.m., the family will travel to Troup, Texas to Pinecrest cemetery for burial.

One of Jack’s favorite bible verses perfectly summarizes his life: 2nd Timothy, 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race." His children believe there’s another verse equally fitting: Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, the family request tax free donations be made to Christian Community Service Center, P.O. Box 27924, Houston, Texas 77227.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack Horton, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

3:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Friday, October 24, 2014

Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)

Pinecrest Cemetery

Troup, TX 75789

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Photo Gallery

Visits: 1

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree