Goodbye to a giant

My great uncle Ed Horton died last week.  He was 85.  I’m going with my dad and Martha to his funeral in a little while.

I stand in complete awe at the incredibly full life he had.  He was an Army captain and a World War II veteran, a college graduate, a hugely successful farmer and cattleman, a state senator, and sat on multiple boards of directors.  He was a member of Belle Mina Methodist Church for more than 60 years.  He was a loving father to three daughters, losing one to cystic fibrosis.  I don’t remember how old Jean was when she died, but I doubt she was 30.  (Edited:  She was 31.)

Ed might also have been the kindest, sincerest, most eminently decent man I’ve ever known.  And I know I’ve never met a more even-tempered person.  That I (that pretty much anybody, I think) ever saw, Ed had exactly one mood.  He was happy, content, thoughtful, and ceaselessly easygoing.

All of the children absolutely adored him.  He had a real gift for relating to little people meaningfully, in a way that genuinely spoke to them without pandering to them.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are at his house.

He was precious.  The world is poorer.  RIP.

(EditedHere is a post remembering him on one of his nephew’s blogs.)

(EditedHere is an excellent retrospective that appeared in The Huntsville Times this week.)

You might also like:

10 thoughts on “Goodbye to a giant”

  1. I’m sorry for your loss, Bo. From what you wrote about your Uncle Ed, I can tell that he contributed a lot to world. I hope you can take some comfort from knowing that he lived his life so well. Hugs.

    Reply
  2. My condolences to you and your family. What a legacy he has left for you all in terms of his public service, but also that he seems to have been a truly wonderful person. I’m sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  3. Bo–what kind remarks about Dad. I knew how great he was but after the funeral, I realize how great he was to so many people. He had a big heart and you are right–even with 3 sometimes contentious daughters, I never heard him raise his voice! Love to all of you! Susan

    Reply

Leave a Comment

CAPTCHA


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BoWilliams.com