Robert Morris Horning

Col. Robert M. Horning (Ret.) died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga. He was 90. He was born in Great Falls, Mont., and traveled the globe during his 35 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. A highly decorated pilot of bombers and fighter jets, Col. Horning was a combat veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Known to most people as “The Colonel,” after retiring from the Air Force he selflessly served the Shreveport community with Opal, his first wife of 52 years, helping the homeless through Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and people with AIDS through Philadelphia House.

Col. Horning will always be remembered as a kind and generous man, a second father to many of his children’s friends, and a wonderful neighbor.

He is survived by his son Robert M. Horning, Jr., and his wife Judy, of Atlanta, Ga.; and daughters Dixie D. Horning of San Francisco, Calif., and Dr. Gloria G. Horning of Pensacola, Fla.; grandsons Brian Horning and his wife Diana of Norman, Okla., and Pete Horning and his wife Alison Lanier-Horning, of Marietta, Ga.; great-grandsons Sam and Clay, and great-granddaughter Lily Grace of Norman, Okla.; brother Charles “Chuck” Horning and nephew Drake of Aurora, Colo.; and half-brother William “Willie” Gerner of Carbondale, Colo. He was preceded in death by Opal Cain Horning., and his son, Johndavid; and second wife, Rae O’Gier Horning.

Visitation will be Monday August 13, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, with graveside services for Col. Horning to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery West, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport, LA. For directions, call Centuries Memorial at 318-686-4334.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of their choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.com