In early evening August 25, 2019, Danny Ray Horton of Brownwood, Texas passed from our presence into the waiting and loving arms of his savior Jesus Christ. Danny was a large and fun personality who lived in the midst of and was central to our identity as a family. It will be a difficult struggle to deal with his loss.
Danny was born January 26, 1955, in Comanche, Texas, the third and favorite child of James E. (Buck) Horton and Vernell K. (Doss) Horton. Danny was preceded in death by his father, and is survived by his wife Kim S. Horton of Brownwood, son Kade Horton and spouse Madeline of Midland, son Ethan Horton and spouse Alex of Austin, mother Vernell Horton of Lometa, brother Jimmie M. Horton and spouse Nancy of Caradan, brother Bobby J. Horton and spouse Janet of Houston, sister Laura M. Horton of Brownwood, by 15 nephews and nieces (each of whom was his favorite), numerous great nieces and nephews (who will all terribly miss their favorite – Uncle Bam-Bam), by numerous cousins and literally thousands of friends throughout Central Texas and the greater Southwestern US.
Danny grew up in the rural community of Scallorn and attended school in Lometa, where he excelled in all sports and later attended Howard Payne University on an athletic scholarship. After working a few years in construction in and around Austin Danny ultimately returned to his roots and came home to Brownwood, where he recently retired after working 42 years as a foreman at Superior Cable plant.
Danny had many interests; he was adventurous, competitive and accomplished at many things: son, husband, father, gardener, carpenter, hunter, fisherman, sportsman and golfer. Danny was a friend to everyone he met. His roster of friends included construction and plant workers, cowboys, clerks, businessmen and industrial entrepreneuris, coaches, fishing guides, doctors and lawyers. Above all else, Danny passionately focused his attentions on his immediate family and supported Kade’s and Ethan’s efforts in their pursuits of hunting, fishing, weightlifting, baseball, football and scholastic careers. From coaching a state champion Little League team to their college careers, those attentions were also extended to supporting dozens of their friends whose various careers after high school he enthusiastically followed. Danny and Kim’s home was at all times – and continues to be – an open door for all their sons’ friends. Stories abound of the literally thousands of steaks he cooked for all his “football boys”. Unfortunately for us all, he took with him that world famous secret recipe for “Danny’s Man-Rub” (aka butt-rub) steak spice.
Danny was a gardener and loved displaying and competing with his mother, sister and brother over who grew the largest, prettiest and latest flowers. Danny loved the outdoors and was an ardent pursuer of all manner of fish, fowl and beast at every opportunity. Danny was an excellent marksman, whose exploits included regularly taking large birds out of the air at distance with a rifle, and who just last year hit a first shot bullseye on a target 1090 yards out, with a gun borrowed from his son. Danny also loved the ranching work and lifestyle he grew up in, and he put in literally thousands of hours volunteering to help his dad, or his Uncle Dooder McClatchy, or childhood friend Bill Bishop work cattle and could always be counted on to help drench goats and haul hay.
Danny was a great son and brother, a great husband and father, and a great friend of everyone he met. Our memories of him all involve him laughing, joking and teasing, pulling pranks, and loving us all. We will forever miss his adventurous spirit, his charming smile, his laughter and the friendship he had for all people.
Funeral services for Danny will be held Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 3pm at the First Baptist Church in Early with burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Caradan. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to M. D. Anderson.
Online memorials may be made at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.
