Volney Eugene Horton Jr. or “Gene” as he was known by family and friends, passed from this earth January 7, 2013 to his heavenly home where he was greeted by his father and sister. He died from a cancerous brain tumor that was discovered shortly before Christmas. Gene was born on April 14, 1952 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Horton Crow and farther Volney Horton. Gene is survived by his son Phillip Horton & wife Nikki, grandchildren Phoenix and Phoebe of Browns of Browns Mills, NJ., mother Hazel Horton; sister Mary Splawn & husband Mark; nieces Rebecca Smith, Rachel Hale, Allison Daugherty, and nephew Christopher Daugherty. Gene was a track star in high school and this began his love for running. He worked mainly in retail selling athletic shoes. He continued to run everyday as a way of life and in races. Being a Type 1 diabetic since the age of 19, he eventually used his running to aid in the fight for a cure for juvenile Diabetes. In the summer of 1985 he started on his 1,100 mile run across Oklahoma to raise funds for the Central Oklahoma chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He hoped that his run across the state would bring awareness of the disease and give hope to young juvenile diabetics that anything they want to achieve is possible by taking care of themselves through physical fitness, good nutrition, and taking insulin shots properly. A loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, Gene will be greatly missed by all. A Memorial Service will be held Sat. Jan. 12, 2013 at Guardian West Chapel at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate his life.
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