Kenneth Bryan Horton

HORTON, MR. KENNETH BRYAN, age 86, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2009. He was born March 31, 1922, in Thomasville, Georgia, to Roy and Katie Horton. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 57 years, Lawanna Westberry Horton in 2004. He was the beloved father of Dr. Susan Horton Eiland of Birmingham, AL, and Mr. Kenneth Roy Horton of Thomasville, GA. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Dr. C. Morgan Eiland; his three grandchildren, Susanna Horton Eiland, New York, NY, Morgan Bryan Eiland, Ann Arbor, MI, and Forrest Cole Horton, Thomasville, GA; a sister, Mrs. Ruth Sharples; nephews, Mr. Hilton Sharples, Mr. Jerry Sharples, Mr. Russell Sharples; and a niece, Mrs. Ruby Howard. Mr. Horton served in the United States Navy as a torpedo pilot in World War II and as a flight instructor and skipper of a carrier-based early warning detachment in the Korean War. For his service accomplishments, he received many awards, including two Navy crosses, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and four air medals. Following his discharge as a lieutenant commander, he pursued a career in sales and insurance. Retired for many years, he enjoyed writing his memoirs, which were published in 2007 as The Avenging Avengers. He also enjoyed lecturing to school, civic, and veterans' groups about World War II history. An invitation to speak about World War II to his granddaughter's fifth grade class at Advent Episcopal Day School seventeen years ago led to an annual lecture which became one of his favorite speaking engagements. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 27, at 11 am at the First Baptist Church Birmingham. The family will receive friends after the service. Burial will take place Saturday, February 28, beside the grave of his wife in her family's plot at Piney Grove Cemetery, Odum, GA. The family requests that anyone wishing to give a memorial consider the Advent Episcopal Day School, 2019 Sixth Ave. No., Birmingham, AL 35203, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.