Leroy Horton

Leroy Horton, of Springtown, 81, a life-long resident of Springtown, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday morning, October 4, 2021. Funeral Service: 2 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2021 at Hilltop Family Church in Springtown. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Hilltop Family Church in Springtown. Interment: Friday, October 8, 2021 at Springtown Cemetery following the service. Leroy was born September 19, 1940 in Boyd, Texas to Henry Horton and Dona Finley Horton on their family farm in northwest Wise County, near Cottondale, Texas. He attended school in Springtown and graduated from high school there in 1959. In 1961, he married Diane Flippin to whom he was married for 60 years. He joined the U.S. Air Force and they moved to Wichita, Kansas for 4 years, he was always proud of his military service. Leroy moved his family back to Springtown in 1965. He worked at General Dynamics for 4 years as a machinist and won many awards for re-tooling parts to save the company money on materials. In 1969, he went to work at Cocanougher Ford in Decatur as a mechanic where he was employed for 25 years, then opened his own shop, Horton Auto Service Center in Springtown which he ran for 14 years until he retired after needing heart surgery. During these years, Leroy became a Christian, was a member of First Baptist Church for 20 years, where he still has many wonderful friends. He was also a member of Springtown Lions Club, where he served as President, Treasurer and coach of Little League baseball, football and basketball for many years. He served on the Springtown I.S.D. School Board for 5 years and was a member of the Springtown Classic Car Club. In 1991, Leroy and Diane joined Hilltop Family Church and have been blessed to have a loving church family and many close friends from there. Leroy was a “family man” through and through and loved each one of our large family dearly. He loved travelling with family and friends and had many great trips with them. He was an avid gardener and for the last 20 years, he had gardens big enough to share his produce with family, friends and neighbors. Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dona Horton; sister, Maxine Moore; and brothers, Howard and Ross Horton. He is survived by his wife, Diane Horton of Springtown; his sister, Doris Bruski and husband Dave of Lake Worth; brothers, Troy Horton of Cottondale and Jesse Horton and wife, Linda of Springtown; Daughter, Charlotte Miles and husband Kelvin; Sons, Darrell Horton and mate, Lori Phillips and Brett Horton and wife, Jessica, all of Springtown. Grandchildren: Trace Miles, Dusty Miles and wife Britney, Jessica Dildy and husband Jared, Brandon Horton and mate Kayla Winchester, Dallas Horton and wife, Sierra, Tyler Horton, Bryce Horton and wife Megan, Bryan Horton, Brooklyn Bragg, Scout Richards, Chanel Croley and friend Bryce Gum. Great grandchildren: Brody, Paisley, Presley, Audrie, Collins, Elliott, Makenli, Tate, Tanner, Braylee, Kinsley, Cannon, Brylen, Beckett and Baylor. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed by his large, loving family. REST IN PEACE, GRANDADDY