Dr. Joe Henry Horton

HORTON, Dr. Joe H. - Age 94, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Refuge Temple Church of Flint, 4400 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Matthew Jackson, officiating, Mr. Jeffrey Horton, Eulogist. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Wednesday. Dr. Horton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd, and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Tuesday, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Dr. Horton was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army. We count it an honor to chronicle a man’s journey toward personal greatness and respect. Certainly, the esteemed deceased was symbolic of being a strong, brave person whose faith and determination allowed him to be more than a competitor/conqueror. A gentleman of great age, dignity, faith, knowledge and a family patriarch has now succumbed to this life. Again, we’re speaking of Dr. Joe Henry Horton—94 years old. “It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them.” That quote, indeed, refers to this dedicated mentor and committed family man. Born in Spring Creek, Tennessee to Jule and Mattie Elizabeth (Grier) Horton; our honoree was among 7 siblings. Making up a family of sharecroppers, they were raised, as Joe described it, “dirt poor.” The advantage of that is, overtime, you tend to become unafraid to make moves that may not yield a return on investment until much later. Then, you become eager to invest in YOU. He left Tennessee at age 19 with $7 in his pocket, which was a week’s pay, and moved to Flint, MI in 1948. Endeavoring to make a new life for himself, he worked odd jobs before being hiring in at General Motors in 1950 in the Sanitation Department. Soon, hard work and tenacity would begin to pay dividends. His newfound economic stability permitted him to save enough for a down payment and subsequently, he became a homeowner in 1955 at the young age of 27—unheard of at that time, given the climate. Patriotic and a Korean-War veteran, Joe did a four-year stint in the United States Army, resigning with an honorable discharge. Upon returning from deployment, Joe right away began the process of resuming his career at GM. After 20 years, he would be accepted into the skilled trades trainee program. Shortly after, he would establish himself as the plant’s premier tool and die welder responsible for training others. Still, he was unable to let go of his past. Before he would go in to work 2nd shift, he would attend classes in the mornings to earn his high school diploma, which he completed in 1984 at age 56. In December, 2005, Joe, distinguished by the white hair peaking out from his “mortarboard,” sat quietly but with a wide smile on his face. He received his B. S. Degree in Education from U of M (University of Michigan-Flint). May, 2008, he was also conferred a Master of Public Administration from U of M. In November, 2020, (at age 92), he earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. The same toughness and belief in himself that he arrived with in 1950, burned intensely to that day. “It’s never too late to become what you always could’ve been,” said Joe. “Anybody can rise up and over time, be in a better condition later because of it. The same principle applies to Flint—especially the North Side!” Take it from Dr. Horton. He added: “The worst thing you can do in life is allow yourself to be defined by others. You’ll regret it for as long as you’re on this planet.” Yes, emotions run deep today as a human tie has been broken. Earning applause and admiration, this steadfast senior reached out to others with a wealth of knowledge which was worth a person’s time and attention. Thus, it’s hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember. Occupying this physical body finally came to an end for Dr. Horton, as challenging times have now ended and pain has taken its flight. It was on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at approximately 6:20 p.m. when our Lord and Savior summoned his servant to take his last breath for another dimension. He leaves in God’s hands and to treasure and reminisce his life: Devoted son and caregiver, Jeffrey Curtis (Barbara Renae Holmes) Horton, of Bethlehem, GA. Dear son-in-law, Lester Patrick, II. Grandchildren: Lester [Trey] (Mya Stevens) Patrick, III; Cedric Armand Horton, Aleah Jabri Horton, Caleb Jaren Horton, Joshua Evan Horton and Shelby Alyssa Horton. Great grandchildren: Carter Josiah Horton and Olivia Love Patrick. Numerous Nephews: Kermit Willis; Todd D. (Erricka) Edmonds; Christopher L. Edmonds and Keith C. Edmonds. Multiple nieces consisting also of: Joyce Nunley; Gwendolyn Wheat; Luevenia Horton; Rebecca Horton, Francetta Arnold and Kimberly M. (Paul) Nelson.Sisters-in-law: Betty J. (Charles) Edmonds; Geraldine (Herbert) Feaster. Special acknowledgement: Dr. Eric Britt (trusted friend and colleague); Dr. Victoria Nunley (great-niece); Virginia Hutchins (loyal friend, tutor); Slim and Jim (beloved, faithful companions); His two full-blooded German Shepards—responsible for security. He was preceded in death by his loving and kind-hearted wife of over 56 years, Delores (Roberts) Horton. Precious and doting daughters: Sabrina Ann Patrick, Sharon Denise Horton and Selena Kay Horton. Parents: Jule and Mattie Elizabeth (Grier) Horton. Sisters/Brothers: Vera (Horton) West; Lilian Horton; Eva (Cathy) Horton; R.D. Horton; James Henry (Jake) Horton and James Daniel (Speedway) Horton. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law: James Floyd and Leatha (Temple) Roberts. Brothers-in-law: Bishop Edward C. Roberts; Deacon Joe (Maryland) Roberts; Eld. Reuben (Maryanna) Roberts; Frederick L. Roberts. Sisters-in-law: Lula M. Felder; Gladys B. Roberts and Ruth M. Roberts. Written with love in all sincerity by: Betty J. (Roberts) Edmonds, sister-in-law (Charlotte, N. C.) and Jeffrey Curtis Horton, grateful son.

Dr. Joe Henry Horton

August 20, 1928 - March 11, 2023