Charles Donald Horton

Charles Donald "Chuck" Horton was born in Dublin, GA on March 22, 1929. His parents were poor; his father worked at a grist mill. The boys helped support the family by hunting for rabbits and other small game in the woods surrounding the home. A school mix-up resulted in Chuck's inevitable lack of high school graduation, but he got his GED in the service.

Sgt Horton was a ferocious boxer while he was overseas. He recalled once that he had been in at least 52 fights. He could always be counted on to "put up his dukes" with anyone for a spar.

Sgt Horton had an outstanding, highly decorated military career. He served as an Honor Guard as part of General MacArthur's command of the Japanese occupational forces. He accomplished Airborne training and continued on to Ranger training. Sgt Horton later qualified for level-M classification cryptography, one of just two men in the Pacific Theater Operation with such a classification.

Upon the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, Sgt Horton responded patriotically. The operations he participated in included the Pusan Invasion (and later Evacuation), and the Chosin Reservoir. He related a wartime story of a scrawny rooster boiled in a helmet pot, served for Thanksgiving by the squad. After escaping the Chosin Reservoir, Sgt Horton was severely wounded when an 82mm mortar round exploded on his leg. He spent a year in a US rehab hospital in Japan, where doctors informed him that he would never walk again, and would in fact have to have the leg amputated. To this, Sgt Horton replied with his characteristic grin.

Sgt Horton recovered to the point where he became a scratch golfer and a championship bowler, proving that the Ranger attitude trumps medical knowledge anytime.

Mr. Horton worked for several paper mills during his life. From a low-level entry position, he rose to the top, even being asked to write a book on papermaking. He worked in the industry for a total of 40 years, all of it shift work, retiring in 1991.

Chuck delighted in both teaching and playing golf, traveling with his family and friends, fishing, and hunting. He was the proud master of phenomenal bird dogs, two outstanding bulldogs, and spooky-smart Labradors.

Life's accomplishment's meant nothing to Chuck if he didn't have his family to share them with. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Hilda White Horton, and his sons John R. Horton (wife Grace, children Jessica and John) and Anthony K. Horton. Welcoming Mr. Horton home into Heaven are his parents Ira C. and Roberta Parker Horton, and his brothers, Robert Ira Horton and James Reginald "Jimmy" Horton, and his son, Charles Donald "Chuckie" Horton, Jr.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery.



Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088