Sam Elmo Horton of Keithville, Louisiana, passed away at his home on April 8, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on April 21, 1932 in Ida, Louisiana to Earnest Obine Horton and Eulalia Chandler Horton.
General visitation will be held on Monday, April 17, 2023 5:00-7:00 p.m. following a family gathering at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home in Shreveport. A celebration of life will be held for Sam on Tuesday, April 18 at 12:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home in Shreveport, with graveside service and interment following at 2:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana. Speakers will include John Norton and Don Henry. Pallbearers will be Ben Burns, Jeff Horton, Cody Kennemer, Dustin Kennemer, Josh Kennemer, and Andy Newton. Honorary Pallbearers will include John Norton, Charles Sanders, Charles Arnold, Walter Murray, David LaLena, David Austin, Ken Decker, Danny Newton, Dan Michael Bobbitt, and Sarge.
Sam was a patriot and a veteran of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; he served in the Korean War and was dedicated to his country. He was instrumental in the construction of one of the first nuclear reactors for Navy submarines, doing critical machine work. Sam’s life was guided by his monumental faith and characterized by his steadfastness and love for his family and community. He was a devoted messenger of the gospel, and over many years ministered to countless people whose lives crossed his. Sam loved spending time with family and friends at family reunions, neighborhood fish fries and barbeques, and used any opportunity he had to form personal connections and spread his faith. Everyone he met was a friend, with no one leaving his company as a stranger. He spent much of his time studying the scriptures, finding wisdom throughout the texts but particularly in the book of Psalms, the epistles of Paul, and the story of Esther. Sam was also a prolific gardener, cultivating numerous varieties of vegetables and fruits. He was a master machinist and an expert “piddler” in many skills and activities, a true jack of all trades. He was a kind, generous, stubborn, and good-hearted man, and he will be sorely missed by so many.
Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Fay Oliver Horton; his son, Keith Horton; his brothers CH Horton, John Lewis Horton, and Franklin D. Horton; his sisters Lorine Horton Bruner, Lois Horton Purdue, Martelie Waters Bain, Maggie Horton Bobbitt, and Helen Horton Waters; and his parents Earnest Obine Horton and Eulalia Chandler Horton.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Chris Horton Kennemer and husband Guy; beloved sister Frances Hayden; grandchildren Jason Kennemer, Shawn Kennemer, Jeff Horton, Jaime Roy, Sarah Kennemer, and Rachel Tenerelli; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews; and many dear friends including Greg Martin, Linda Bobbitt, Don and Vernell Henry, and John Norton.
The family would like to offer a special thanks to all of the caregivers; St. Joseph's Hospice, STAT Home Health, Joseph, Margaret Robertson and husband Robby, beloved niece and cousin, Lyndra Forsong, and the VA staff and nurses, Monica and Kevin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the paralyzed Veterans of America.
