Jesse Watt Hornburg

Our precious Father "PaPa" went to Heaven on September 26, 2009. Although we will always miss him, we know our Mother is rejoicing their reunion. Jesse Watt Hornburg was born on March 28, 1909 to Lindsey Davis Hornburg and Mayme Mariah Airhart in Batesville, Texas. On March 28, 2009 he celebrated his 100th birthday! His early years were spent in Johnson City where his classmate was the late President Lyndon Baines Johnson. After graduating from Falfurrias High School, he obtained his BBA from Howard Payne College. J. Watt taught school at Proctor, was the principal at Edna Hill, and was superintendent of the Beattie school district. He married Annie Mae Turner, also a teacher, in 1934. After teaching for over ten years, they moved to Austin in 1938. He went to work for the State Department of Health and remained there until his retirement in 1973. For twenty years he served as Director of the Nursing and Convalescent Homes Division. Prior to becoming the Director he served as an Educational Consultant and Sanitation Consultant. J. Watt was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church. He was also a life member of the Austin Junior Chamber of Commerce, having been selected as "Man of the Year" in 1946. He served as Chairman of the Housing Committee of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Aging in 1960; was delegate to the President's White House Conference on Aging in 1961; was a charter member of the Texas Society on Aging; and was a member of the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators. His family will remember him as a gentle man who loved the Astros, Longhorns, fishing, crossword puzzles, watching his birds, mariachi music, and directing the "family choir" while Annie Mae played the piano. His keen mind, sharp wit and endearing stories will be forever missed. Survivors are daughters: Nancy Harris-Chrisman (Jerry), Wimberley, and Corrie Fuquay-Cobb (Jimmy) of Austin. Grandchildren: Lezlee Harris, Scott Harris (Tammy), Wimberley, Jeff Harris, San Marcos, Jerry Chrisman, Jr., Portland, Ore., Steve Fuquay (Pam), Georgetown, John Fuquay (Kaye), New Braunfels, Traylor Cobb, Denton, and Loren Franckowiak (Peter) San Antonio. Fourteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren also survive him. His wife of 68 years Annie Mae, parents, two sisters, three brothers and three sons-in-law predeceased him. A special thank you to Dora Zamora, Olivia Meraz and Mary Balandran who so lovingly cared for him. The public is invited to pay their respects to J. Watt between the hours of 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd at Weed-Corley-Fish North Lamar. Services will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, at 10:00 AM in the Weed Corley Fish Chapel. Officiating at J. Watt's services will be David Mikeska a special family friend. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons: Steve Fuquay, Scott Harris, John Fuquay, Jeff Harris, and great grandsons: Travis Fuquay and JD Fuquay. Honorary pallbearers will be great grandsons: Blake Fuquay and Coleman Harris. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Vista Care Hospice or a charity of your choice.