Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 10, 1938, Bob was the son of the late John and Beatrice Horan. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He shared more than 50 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Carol Jean Hillerich Horan, who preceded him in death in 2010.
After graduating from high school, Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps alongside some of his closest friends. They served on active duty for a short time before transitioning to the Reserves.
After earning an associate’s degree in accounting from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Bob spent more than 40 years with McKesson, installing and maintaining mainframe systems. He began in the field when computer technology was still emerging, bringing intelligence and dedication to work that would become central to modern life.
After retiring, Bob continued serving others. He volunteered at a Lutheran church, preparing sandwiches for people experiencing homelessness, and later dedicated 15 years to the Good Samaritan Center, a food bank serving people in need. He was also a longtime member of St. Theresa Catholic Church.
A lifelong reader, Bob kept a spreadsheet of every book he read since the 1970s. He enjoyed science fiction and murder mysteries, and Tom Clancy was among his favorite authors. He also loved puzzles and word searches, eventually moving from paper booklets to electronic apps. These interests reflected his curiosity and the care he brought to the things he enjoyed.
Bob also cherished the annual family vacations he shared with his children, grandchildren, sister-in-law Donna, and brother-in-law Tony Clark. The trips gave them treasured time together and became a much-loved family tradition.
Bob will be deeply missed by his family, who loved him tremendously. He is survived by his children, Robert “Bobby” Horan and Patricia “Patti” Hadden; Patti’s longtime partner, Stephen Dalton; his grandchildren, Brittany (Alexis) Hadden and Emily (Shaun) Eisner; his beloved canine companion, Bella; and many other loved ones, family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol; his parents; and his siblings, John “Jack” Horan, Jr., and Mary Ann Hughes.
Visitation will be held at Whitley Garner Funeral Home on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Douglasville. Bob will be laid to rest at Rosehaven Cemetery following the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Center: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SXVXGADD4WXHW
Whitley Garner at Rosehaven is honored to be entrusted with the services of Robert James Horan.
