Perry Horton lived a long life full of adventure, trials, tribulations, success, happiness and love. So great were his accomplishments and so long and interesting was his story, that all of the descriptive words in the world would fail to do them justice. He was born in Raven, Virginia on May 16, 1929, the son of John Perry Horton and Dolla Zettie (Miller) Horton. He was raised most of his life by his mother and step-father, Roscoe Rakes, after the tragic death of his father in a coal mining accident when Perry was very young.
He eagerly joined the Army Air Corps, which eventually became the United States Air Force. He was a Korean War veteran and vital to U.S. efforts at the 38th parallel as a radioman. He achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge after nine years of service, and then started his civilian career. He worked at the United States Postal Service for 30 years; initially as a city letter carrier in Chillicothe, Ohio and retired in 1984 as Postmaster of Rio Grande, Ohio. During his time as a letter carrier, he was also an accomplished television and radio repairman.
His hobbies, interests, and passions were vast and varied from civil air patrol, to being the consummate storyteller. He practiced judo for much of his life. He spent many years as a dedicated member of the Masonic lodge, and was also a former deacon at Tabernacle Baptist Church. He had a life-long passion for genealogy and devoted much of his free time to it. Through his genealogical research, he touched countless lives all over the country. He adored traveling; especially to historical sites, and was most at home surrounded by nature.
Perry was proud of his Cherokee heritage, and was known as Wise Raven to his native friends and family.
Most importantly, he was loved by his wife, family, friends, extended family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; he was very proud of them all.
Preceding him in death were his father, John Horton; mother, Dolla Rakes; step-father, Roscoe Rakes; brothers, Bobby Rakes, Larry Rakes, and Lester Rakes; infant sister, Lillian Holbrook; sister, Betty Adkins; wives, Cora Dhel (Cline) Horton and Edith (Damron) Horton.
He is survived by two brothers, Dallas Horton and Delmer Rakes; wife, Donna Horton; children, Cheryl Stone, Patricia Shepherd, Kathryn Cubert, Daniel (Cheryl) Horton, John (Amy) Horton; step-children, Diana Roulston and Tamara Vachon; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Good-bye mentor, friend, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Fly high, Wise Raven, be free.
At ease, Technical Sgt. Horton, mission accomplished, job well done.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 26, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill, Ohio. A service will immediately follow at 4 p.m. with Pastor Jim Lusher. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to: Adena Hospice Care, 111 West Water Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com