Funeral services for Thomas Riley Horner, 69, of Brownwood will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, July 8th at Heartland Funeral Home with Alvis Fisher officiating. Interment will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Park with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 7th from 3:00 to 5:00pm at Heartland Funeral Home. He passed away Wednesday, July 3rd in Austin.
Thomas Riley Horner was born on September 18, 1943 in Brownwood, Texas to Cecil and Verna Horner. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1962. While attending high school, Tommy held numerous jobs to help support himself and his family. One of these jobs was a butcher at the local Hollingsworth Grocery.
He married Tonya Fedora on June 5, 1965. Tommy graduated from Howard Payne College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 and received his Master of Education degree from Tarleton State University in 1980. While working toward his education, Tommy joined the Texas Army National Guard and retired from duty in 1992 after 23 years of service.In 1962 he became an installer of central office equipment for Southwestern States Telephone Company. He was then employed by 3M Company as a traffic clerk until 1975 when he began his teaching career with Brownwood ISD. He taught art and Industrial Cooperative Training until he became the Community Education Director in 1985. In 1990, he became the Director of Federal Programs for Brownwood ISD where he was instrumental in developing the Brown County Literacy Council. In 1992, Tommy implemented the Technology School for Brownwood ISD incorporating post-secondary goals with many universities. He became the Workforce Development Director for Texas State Technical College in 2000. He ended his professional career as a Business Development Consultant with the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas in Abilene and Brownwood.
Tommy owned B & T Landscaping, and with the help of his family, landscaped many apartment complexes and golf courses. He not only supervised the business; he labored along with his family to create the designs he planned. He also, in partnership with Don Martin, owned Gallery One Fine Arts, LLC in Brownwood. During this venture they brought many fine artists’ work to the community.
He held numerous positions in local and state organizations including: State Board of Education Advisory Committee on Technology, West Central Texas Tech-Prep Consortium, Concho Valley Adult Basic Education Advisory Committee, Brown County Extension Advisory Council, Brown County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Red Cross Board of Directors, Brownwood Beautification Committee, Brown County Literacy Council, Brown County Parenting Coalition, WCTCOG Career and Technology Advisory Committee, Society for Human Resource Management, Texas State Teachers Association, and Region XV ESC Advisory Committee.
He was a member of Iota Lambda Sigma fraternity, Kiwanis, Brown County Builders Association, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, and the National Guard Association of Texas. Tommy was also a member of the Brady Avenue Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for many years.
Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles. He was a talented artist, enjoyed wood-working, and created many beautiful pieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Verna Horner, brothers Joe Horner and Jimmy Horner, his parents-in-law, John and Doris Fedora, and brothers-in-law, Oran Pinson, Henry Schoen, and Kendal Fedora.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Tonya; son and wife, Brant and Suzanne Horner of San Angelo; daughter and husband, Brinn and James Ball of Valera; grandchildren, Evyn Higgins and husband Will of San Angelo, Emily Horner of San Angelo, Avery and Riley Ball of Valera; sister, Frances Sue Pinson of Brownwood; brother, Bob Horner and wife Judy of Shreveport, LA; sisters-in-law, Janet Sue Horner of San Antonio, Melody Schoen of Early, Karen Fedora of White Settlement, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Seton League House, 3207 Medical Parkway, Austin, Texas 78705 in memory of Tommy Horner or a charity of your choice.
