Minnie Louise (McClain) Horton
Marriages
Wilford Dean Horton - March 17, 1945
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - February 3, 2019
Louise M. "Lou" Horton passed away January 30, 2019, at HopeWest Care Center. She had been a resident of LaVilla Grande Care Center in Grand Junction, CO since July, 2017. She was born January 6, 1924, in a small community outside of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Her parents were Thomas M. and Minnie Lee McClain. Soon the family moved to Seminole, Texas. Her father died when she was four years old and her mother and she moved to Midland, Texas. When she was ten her mother married J. T. Baker who became her beloved stepfather. She graduated from Midland High School and attended John Tarleton Jr. College and the College of Mines (later UTEP). On March 17, 1945, she married Lt. Wilford Dean Horton who had joined the Army Air Corp. after graduating from Kirksville College of Osteopathy & Surgery. He already had his pilot’s license, having had many hours of training. After WWII they moved to Kirksville, MO, where Dr. Horton interned at the Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital. In the spring of 1947, Dr. Horton established his practice with Dr. D.E. Snyder in Ruidoso, NM. Their daughter, Marsha Lynn, was born September 18, 1948. She passed away May 8, 1951. They were later blessed with two sons, Carey and Craig, and the family spent many weekends ski racing in New Mexico and Colorado. Lou was a member of The First Christian Church, a Life member of Lincoln County Medical Center Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi and Alto Women’s Association. She was an avid Bridge player. She was preceded in death by Marsha; her husband; parents, and (later) her companion, Herb Heideman and daughter-in-law, Kathy Horton. She is survived by Carey (Karen), and Craig (Tricia); granddaughters, Kathryn (Jeff Hazard), Stephenie (Scott Smith), and Mary (Lukasz Muniga), and greatgrandchildren, Caroline, Charlotte and Ryan Hazard; Owen, Zoe, Max and Emma Smith. She is also survived by her longtime beloved companion, James Paul McHargue, Jr. They enjoyed many hours of ballroom dancing. A gravesite service will be held in Ruidoso, NM on February 8, at 11:00 a.m. The family plans to honor her with a Celebration of Life in Ruidoso at a later date. No flowers are necessary. Donations to HopeWest, 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506 are welcome.
