Thomas Walter Horton Jr.

Reverend Dr. Thomas Walter Horton, Jr. (born September 4, 1926) died Saturday October 3, 2015 with his family by his side. Tom was the only child of the late Mary Hester Estes Horton and Thomas Walter Horton, Sr. He joins his beloved wife Sue Royall Horton in death. Survivors include his adored children Col. Victor S Vierra and wife Jean, Mary Scheper and husband Fred, Susan Van Zile and husband David, Thomas Horton III and wife Sandy, and cherished grandchildren Kathleen West and husband Chris, Andrew Van Zile and wife Maggie, Joseph Brown, Bailey Horton, Victor Vierra Jr, Lisa Moore and Kent Vierra and great grandchildren Zoë, Sawyer, and Madeleine, and special friend Ryland Meszaros. He was also blessed with a very large extended family, including Mary Julia Royall, sister-in-law, and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Tom loved the Lord, his family and life. He was quick with a smile and a laugh. His sense of humor was contagious and his jokes were classic. He was an accomplished musician, often playing the piano and the organ for worship services, for various programs, and for fun. At an early age Tom was driven to ministry. His young life was often tough as the family struggled with alcoholism, but he always remained faithful, which led him to Presbyterian College at the age of 17. Two years later the Lord called him to Columbia Theological Seminary. As a seminary intern in Mt Pleasant, SC, Tom took on the care of two teenage boys who were in need. After graduation at 21, he arrived back in Mt. Pleasant, SC to the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church as their first full time minister, and often, the church organist and choir director. There he met the love of his life, Sue Royall. He became a part of a large devoted family and a loving church community. Sue and Tom raised their children in Mt Pleasant and Charleston, where he was Executive Presbyter for many years. The family moved to Rock Hill in 1974 where Tom enjoyed many years of faithful service as Executive Presbyter of Bethel (now Providence) Presbytery retiring in 1991. He continued preaching in Providence Presbytery and teaching in the Julian Lake Bible class for many years. Tom received a Doctorate from McCormick Theological Seminary but never really took to being Dr. Horton. He was always just Tom (or the Grand PooBah). Tom had such a commanding presence both in and out of the pulpit, but was always a gentle and loving soul. Those who knew him best will remember his brilliant mind and wicked sense of humor, which was always present, even to the end. Our family laughed a lot and loved more. Tom was the best of Dads in every sense of the word and his family will miss him fiercely. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice and Community Care, HOPE, STAR, or Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. The family would like to offer special thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff at Westminster Towers and Hospice and Community Care for their devotion and care during Tom's last months. The services will be on Friday October 9, 2015 with the interment service at Bass Cauthen Funeral Home at 2:00pm and the memorial service to celebrate Tom's life at 3:00pm at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. There will be a visitation and reception time after the service at the Activities Center across the street on Oakland Avenue.

Service Information

Friday, October 9th, 2015 3:00pm, Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church

Details:

Service Extra Info Inurnment will be held at 2pm Friday at Rock Hill Memorial Gardens.