Richard Leon Horton, age 79, of Royse City, Texas, passed from his earthly life May 30th, 2023. He was born in Marshall, Arkansas on September 20th, 1943 to Roy S and Alice Williams Horton, as the youngest of six children. He married the love of his life, Violet McEntire, on November 3rd, 1960 after they met at a high school basketball game.
They lived in Marshall, Arkansas where he managed the family business, Roy Horton Chevrolet, alongside his sister, Kathleen Sanders, until 1985. He then moved to Texas to join another family business, D.R. Horton Homes, and worked there until he retired on September 30th, 1997. After retirement, he served on the board of directors of D.R. Horton for several years. He shared a passion of thoroughbred horse racing with his brother, Willie Horton, and two nephews, Terry and Cam Horton.
Not one to remain idle, Leon and Violet bought a cattle ranch in Mt. Vernon, Texas and moved in 2001. He then found the perfect spot to expand his cattle ranch in Clarksville, Texas, which he affectionately named 4 Stars Ranch after his four children. He loved working with “his girls” (his cows) and raising a beautiful, large garden yearly. Any produce they did not can, freeze, or preserve was shared with their family and church friends. Of all his endeavors, his most prized roles were husband, dad, and papaw. He loved his grandchildren and spent hours teaching them to hunt and fish. He enjoyed sharing stories with them about his time sent at Pro Bass Fishing tournaments. While residing in Clarksville, he was a faithful member of the Clarksville First Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and a member of several committees
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Alice Horton; brothers, T.J., Eugene, Eutaw, and Willis Horton; sister, Kathleen Sanders; brother-in-law, Lloyd McEntire; and grandson, Benjamin Passmore.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Violet Horton; son, Rick (Traci) Horton of Nevada, Texas; daughters, Valorie (Wendel) Passmore of Marshall, Arkansas, Shawn (Pat) Carter Royse City, Texas, and Cynthia (Scott) Wilburn of Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren (number 15 due in November); sisters-in-laws, Wilma Horton of Morrilton, Arkansas, Glenda Horton of Marshall, Arkansas, and Maybelle (Kenny) Morris of North Little Rock,
Arkansas; special niece and favorite travel buddy, Sandy Horton of Braselton, Georgia; along with numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to his angel caregiver, Vangie McCormick.
Pallbearers will be his six grandsons, Alan Watts, Austin Passmore, Kyle Horton, John Scott Wilburn, Joshua Wilburn, Jacob Wilburn, and great grandson, Bryce Cooper.
Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 2nd at First Baptist Church Clarksville with Rev. Mark Gossett and Rev. Pepper Puryear officiating. Terry Horton, a nephew, will serve as eulogist. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Another service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3rd at Roller-Coffman Funeral Home, Highway 65 N., Marshall, AR 72650, with lifelong friend and classmate, Rev. Don Campbell officiating. Terry Horton will serve as eulogist. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Burial will be made in East Lawn Cemetery in Marshall, AR.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
