Gary Horton
Gary Horton, 76, went home peacefully Sunday, November 8, 2020. He was born February 20, 1944 to Warren and Rachael Horton.
Gary graduated from Huntley Project School in 1962, where he excelled as a fullback in football. In 1970, he married Rachel Victoria, and they had two children, Aaron and Andrea. Gary and Rachel were lifelong partners who were rarely apart. They worked side by side and did most everything together. In the early years of marriage, they enjoyed riding, working cattle, farming and camping. In their later years of marriage, they enjoyed going to movies, going out to dinner, mowing and watching specific tv shows together and although not being a fan of the program, he would appease Rachel by watching Judge Judy but would continually yell at her through the tv. Even in death their bond will never be broken.
They were lifelong residents of Worden where they farmed/ranched until moving to Billings three years ago, due to his illness. Shortly after being married, he was employed by Franklin Laboratory Veterinarian Supplies where he packed vaccines. His boss and coworkers always marveled at his ability to easily recollect codes of the numerous Franklin products. At the time of his passing, he worked for Huntley/Ballantine Cemetery District where he was employed for 22 years. He was a committed worker who enjoyed taking care of the cemetery. He joked when he was asked what he did. He would say, I don’t have an actual title, but I have a lot of people under me. He had a good sense of humor.
In 1970, he was diagnosed with Good Pastures Syndrome which affected his lungs and kidneys. He was given a dire prognosis of not many years, but God had other plans and blessed us with 50 years! He was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2015 and struggled with dialysis for six years. During his treatments, he made many friends that were in similar circumstances. Dialysis staff always commented on the fact that he never complained, was never demanding and was always appreciative. Our hope and prayers were for a kidney transplant. We worked tirelessly to make that happen, but it wasn’t in God’s plan.
He enjoyed his cattle and his horses. He was often asked to rope at brandings. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, camping, baking (known for his famous sugar cookies), sewing and in his later years started drawing and loved to do Jumble Word Puzzles. He was determined and had a tenacious never-give-up attitude. When he put his mind to something, you could be assured it would get done.
Kind, generous, quiet, humble, genuine, good, gentle, accepting, appreciative, dependable, thankful and funny were just a few words family and friends used to describe him. He loved family time and following his grandsons’ sports. Although he was in pain, he recently traveled to South Dakota to watch his grandson, Grady, play football. Despite the pain, he was glad he made the trip to watch Grady play.
He is survived by his wife Rachel, they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage December 12; daughter Andrea (Owen) Schmidt; grandsons Sam and Grady Schmidt; and brother Rick Horton. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and many good friends including Bob Broderson, Bill Joseph, Jack Caster, Budd Sherrodd, and close cousin, Larry Horton. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Warren and Rachael Horton and his son Aaron Horton.
He will be immensely missed but we accept and rejoice in his decision to go home.
In honor of Gary’s memory, we ask in order to carry on his legacy that you would do an act of kindness with him in mind.
Celebration of life will take place at Faith Chapel on November 21, 2020 at 11am at 517 Shiloh Rd in Billings. Everyone is welcome to attend in person as the chapel can safely accommodate everyone. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries.
Joyful reunions await us in Heaven.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
