Albert Octive Horner

Albert (Al) enlisted in the Navy in 1944, receiving an honorary discharge in 1946. He successfully completed the prescribed courses on Aviation Machinist Mate School, Aviation Free Gunnery Unit and Operational Training Torpedo Planes and approved to wear the Airman Wings. Prior to discharge Al went on shakedown cruise on the FDR ship to Rio de Janeiro.

Al's first job was with Telecom Credit Union in Detroit, Michigan. He instituted the Quick Cash Services which was later implemented throughout Michigan and later Nationwide. Later Al started Credit Counseling Services at Telecom for their members, many of which used the credit union to supplement their income; thus the Credit Counseling Services were born.

Al's next endeavor in life was counseling clients who were deeply indebted in financial difficulty. The business of credit counseling originally was established in 1961 as Michigan Credit Union League that eventually developed in 1967 to Credit Counseling Centers. This became rebranded in 2016 as it is known today as GreenPath Financial Wellness where Al worked there from 1961 to 1997 at such time he retired. Al was President and CEO from 1967-1997. In 1967 revenue was $110,000, by 2026 the business grew to $55 million in revenue. The company started with 5 full-time employees in 1962 and currently employs 483 full-time employees.

Retirement did not last long for Al as his entrepreneurship and compelling pursuit to achieve success in a new endeavor. Thus, in 1998, he started up the (Horner Group, LLC) a dealer/distributor of Global Electric Golf Cars, (GEM) both servicing and sales. The business was established in Surprise, Arizona as a result of tax incentives for clean air plus the need for electric street legal golf cars in a 55+ community. Al's son, Thomas, took over the Golf Car business in 2015 due to his father's health. Eventually it was sold and continues today under new management.

Albert Octive Horner was born on March 7, 1926, to parents Arthur Horner and Emma DeFauw Horner. Albert passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with his wife, Suzanne, by his side.

He had 3 siblings; Dorothy, Lorraine and Theresa. Al was blessed with 4 children; Thomas husband of Mary Horner, Dr. Gerald husband of Kathleen Horner, James husband of Corinne Horner, Deborah Horner Stokovich wife of Robert Stokovich, and stepson Michael husband of BethAnn, son of wife, Suzanne. He had 6 grandchildren Tamara Horner Word wife of James Word, Ashley Horner daughter of Dr. Gerald and Kathleen Horner, Christopher Horner, and Robert Horner sons of James and Corinne Horner, and Michael Thill and Stephen Thill sons of Deborah Horner Stokovich. As well as 2 great-grandchildren: Emily Word and Kaitlyn Word daughters of Tamara Horner Word and James Word.

Al was truly loved, he will always be the Love of my Life and Forever in my Heart, your loving wife Suzanne.

Services will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 11:00 am at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374. With committal to take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at a later time.