Harry James Hornberger Jr.

With heavy hearts, the family of Harry James Hornberger Jr., 81, announces his peaceful passing on February 22, 2026, in East Lansing, the community that shaped his life and that he loved so deeply. Born on February 13, 1945, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Harry and Audrey Hornberger, Jim moved to East Lansing as a young boy and remained a proud lifelong resident. He cherished his Orchard Street childhood, forming lifelong bonds with dear friends John Hauer and Jim Cline, and counted summers at the family cottage on Eight Point Lake among his happiest memories.

Jim’s name became synonymous with athletic excellence throughout the Lansing area. A gifted three-sport standout at East Lansing High School, he played under legendary football coach Roy Kramer and his beloved mentor, Gus Ganakas, in basketball and baseball. He never lost a home game during his high school career and earned All-State and All-City honors in all three sports. Admired not only for his talent but for the leadership and competitiveness he brought to every team, Jim left a lasting impression on teammates and opponents alike. In 1963, he was named a Dell Magazine All-American in basketball, bringing national recognition to his hometown. As a high school athlete, he became the only non-MSU recipient of the WKAR Spartan Spirit Award, a rare honor reflecting the respect he earned both on and off the field. He continued his athletic journey at Michigan State University, where he competed in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1964, he won the Lansing City batting title with an impressive .429 average.

For more than 40 years, Jim was the face of The Golf Haus. He grew the iconic little green building into the “Nation’s No. 1 Golf Discount Store.” Driven and hardworking, he was known for his unyielding integrity, his kindness, and a quick sense of humor that endeared him to customers and friends alike.

Yet Jim’s impact extended far beyond business. He mentored and profoundly influenced the lives of young athletes across the region, sponsoring numerous baseball, basketball, and softball teams and dedicating himself to coaching. Jim’s teams earned multiple youth state championships, and in 1992 he led the Lansing Community College women’s basketball team to a National Runner-Up finish. More than the wins, it was the confidence he built, the discipline he modeled, and the belief he inspired in young people that became his enduring legacy.

In 1992, Jim was inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame, an honor he cherished deeply. He remained an active and devoted member of the Hall of Fame committee for many years, serving alongside his close friend Bob Every. Being named the first inductee into the East Lansing High School Hall of Fame in 2014 was a deeply personal honor and one of his proudest achievements.

Jim’s love of sports carried naturally into broadcasting, where he spent years providing color commentary for high school games, MHSAA basketball state championships, and collegiate matchups for Michigan State and Michigan. Among the friendships he treasured most was his longtime friend Tim Staudt. Together they traveled to broadcast games, the long road trips filled with shared laughs and hilarious adventures that only grew better with time.

Jim touched the lives of countless young athletes, but nothing in his life brought him greater pride or joy than his grandchildren. They were the heart of his world. He was the adored “Jimpa” to Eliese, Abigail, CJ, and Lauren, a title he wore with unmistakable pride and deep devotion. He was the familiar voice in the stands, the constant at games and milestones, and their most faithful fan. Deeply devoted, endlessly supportive, and immensely proud, he never missed a chance to show up for them.

Jim’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Toni; his daughter, Liesa Borrillo and her husband, Donato; his son, Chris Hornberger and his wife, Michelle; and his siblings, Troy Hornberger and Jill Denman-Duggan. Jim will be missed beyond words and forever carried in our hearts.

Services will be held at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel (1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing) on Saturday, February 28th. Visitation from 2:00–5:00 PM, with prayers and the sharing of memories from 5:00–6:00 PM.