James D Horner

Born on July 7, 1940, in Parkersburg, James lived a life marked by dedication to his family, his

country, and his community.

A proud graduate of Parkersburg High School in the class of 1958, James pursued further

education at West Virginia University. In 1963, he answered the call to serve his nation by

joining the United States Air Force. His military career was both distinguished and adventurous.

After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he embarked on an

intensive Vietnamese language course at Fort Meade in Maryland. This training prepared him for

deployment to Da Nang in 1965, where he volunteered for flight status. His service took him

across the globe for additional training in Okinawa, the Philippines, and Japan before joining the

6988th Security Squadron. As part of this elite unit tasked with intercepting and analyzing

communications intelligence, James flew grueling 19-hour combat missions between Japan and

Vietnam throughout 1966. He returned stateside in May of 1968 and was honorably discharged

from active duty. His commitment to service continued as a member of the West Virginia

National Guard from 1972 until his retirement in 1994.

Following his military career, James dedicated nearly three decades to Cabot Corporation as a

laboratory technician and later as an ISO representative. In this role, he traveled extensively to

audit locations across Louisiana, Texas, and Canada. A licensed EMT and member of the

company’s safety team, James also shared his expertise by teaching CPR classes to colleagues.

Even after retiring from Cabot Corporation in 1999, James remained active and industrious. He

took on roles with AirServ and Walmart, where he served as the overnight customer service

manager.

James was a devoted husband to his late wife Ann Horner and a proud father to his daughter,

Carrie Kirkton. He cherished his role as a grandfather to Zoe Kirkton and Piper Kirkton.

Preceded in death by his brother William Horner and sister Della Eaton, James held dear the

memories of those who went before him while continuing to be a steadfast presence for those

who remained.

Known for his kindness and generosity of spirit, James was a friend to all animals and found joy

in their companionship throughout his life. His love for family was unwavering; he took

immense pride in being both a father and grandfather.

James’s legacy is one of service—whether through his military contributions, professional

endeavors, or personal relationships—and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

May his memory bring comfort to those who mourn his passing. A Memorial Service will be

held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM at American Legion Post 15, 2505

Ohio Avenue