George Horner

GEORGE HORNER, age 91, Uvalde native son, beloved husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, died peacefully at home on the 4th of May, 2013. He now resides with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is reunited with his wife of 60 years, Ruby Horner.
He was born in Uvalde on the 3rd of April, 1922 to Fred J. and Lenore Pulliam Horner, the youngest of four children. He was raised in the family home on Getty Street and attended Uvalde High School. He was a Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and at the age of 14 years traveled by ship from New York City to Europe for the 1937 Boy Scout World Jamboree. On this trip he developed a love of the ocean and travel that lasted throughout his life.
Though his studies were interrupted by World War II, George attended and graduated from Baylor University. He became a lieutenant in the Navy and spent much of the war stationed in Dartmouth, England. On the 6th of June, 1944, he commanded a group of LCM landing crafts that delivered the first American soldiers of the Normandy invasion onto Utah Beach. Later he served in the Pacific and was part of the first convoy to mainland Japan, where following the Japanese surrender he was stationed for several months.
After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Uvalde to work in the family business and there he spent the remainder of his life. He married Ruby on the 23rd of April, 1949 and together they raised their four children Louise, George Jr., Kathy, and Linda. Later in life, their greatest joy came from spending time with their four grandchildren, Megan, Kelley, Trey, and Cheri. After Rubys death in 2009, George was pleased to welcome into the world his two greatgrandsons, Kirby and Gabe.
George was a man of God, who accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior early in life. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Uvalde where he was baptized and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. In addition, he also was a member of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
George loved Uvalde and the nearby Hill Country. He served Uvalde as its mayor in 1995 through 1996 and as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a scoutmaster and a Rotarian for over 50 years. He served on the Nueces River Authority Board, the Uvalde library board, the Equalization Board, and was bestowed an Admiralship in the Texas Navy. He loved taking drives into the countryside around Uvalde and just two days before his death was able to go on a three hour ride to Concan and along the Frio. It was as if he just wanted to say goodbye to the countryside and communities he loved so much.
George and Ruby had an active and rewarding life together. They shared a love of travel and adventure and were able to travel together to many parts of the world. Their focus in life was their immediate and extended family as well as a wide circle of friends both near and far who they enjoyed and cherished immensely. They were members of the Frio River Beach Club and the Elephant Club a group of Baylor exes that vacationed together almost every year.
George was preceded in death by his wife Ruby Louise Horner his parents Fred and Lenore Pulliam Horner his brothers Fred J. Horner, Jr, and Needham G. Horner and his sister Lenore P. Horner.
George is survived by his children Louise Hundahl and her husband Ernest of Houston, George Horner Jr. and his wife Suzanne of Port Aransas, Kathy Wright and her husband Jim of Houston, and Linda Moore and her husband Robert of Houston grandchildren Megan and Foster Streete, Kelley and Jason Zocks, Trey George III and Shelley Horner, and Cherilyn Horner and greatgrandchildren Kirby Horner Zocks and Gabriel George Horner. He is survived by his sisterinlaw Marie Horner, cousins Sarabelle Sutton and Mary Lenore Waldrop as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.
The family offers its heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Margie Robinson, Kathy Martinez, Elsa Reyna, and Olga Brooks, whose dedicated, loving, and compassionate care allowed George to remain in his home and enjoy life to the end. Each of his caregivers was a true gift from God, much loved, and appreciated by George as well as his immediate family. The family also would like to especially thank Georges special friends and neighbors Bobby and Linda Kramer. Bobby drove him to San Antonio many times for doctor visits, brought him the newspaper each morning, mowed and watered his lawn, and was a beautiful faithful servant of the Lord. Finally, the family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Steve Garza for his many years of care.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 1 oclock on Tuesday, the 7th of May, in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church, Uvalde, officiated by Associate Pastor Jim Jackson. Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, contributions in memory of George may be made to Uvalde Memorial Hospital, First Baptist Church Uvalde, or to a charity of your choice.
George Horner truly loved life, and he lived every moment to its fullest to the very end. His sense of humor and optimistic outlook on life will be missed.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:3031.

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