James Vern Horton

James Vern Horton

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1943 – 2021

James "Jim" Vern Horton, age 78, died on December 27, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born to James and Ida Horton on July 12, 1943 in Spokane, Washington. He spent much of his childhood summers with aunts and uncles on the Asay family ranch in Meeteetse, Wyoming, where he developed a strong work ethic and a keen ability to tease others. He developed great character, values, and skills that he utilized and enjoyed throughout his life.

He graduated from Columbia High School in Richland, Washington, where he unwittingly met the future love of his life.

After high school, he attended Brigham Young University for a short time before serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Leeds, England. He returned to BYU after his mission, where at the opening social "Hello Dance" ran into Barbara, a beautiful familiar face from Richland, and quickly began chase. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 8, 1967.

It didn't take long for them to start their family and their first of six children was born two months before Jim went into the officer training program for the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia in September 1968. He was honorably released that following January due to medical reasons. Although it was a short time, he developed a great sense of pride for having served with the Marines.

He lived for a number of years in Idaho where he and Barbara built a house in Twin Falls, much of it with their own hands, all while raising six children. He also served as Bishop in Twin Falls. In 1984 he moved his family to Utah and continued working for Mutual of New York. He always demonstrated honesty and integrity in his business dealings.

After he retired from the insurance business, he continued working until his health no longer permitted. He served faithfully as Bishop a second time in Holladay, Utah, where he gave his love, energy, and time to those in need for over five years. Jim touched many lives and was an extraordinary man who gave enormous love and devotion to family and friends.

Jim's interests included target shooting with his children, hunting, reading Louis L'Amour novels, and spending time with his loved ones. He had a terrific sense of humor and the ability to put things in perspective for others. Jim was familiar with American history, inspiring thoughts, and could easily quote a great orator by memory.

Jim's greatest accomplishment in life was his family, his children, and grandchildren. His heart, although failing in health, never faltered in love and compassion for his family and fellow men. We will live by his legacy of unwavering love and loyalty to his Heavenly Father, family, and country. He will be greatly missed.

"For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39

We look forward to the day when we are together again! We are thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which made it possible to live again with our family for eternity.

Jim is survived by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Barbara, their six children Holli Dunn, Noele Corrigan (Doug), Kristen Blake (Bevan), James Horton (Nicole), David Horton, Jill Liljenquist (Devin), and twenty grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, brother William Horton, and son-in-law Paul Dunn.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 am, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1250 E. 4800 S. in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Prior to services, a viewing will be held Thursday, January 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the same LDS church location.

Interment will take place at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.

3115 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Contributions requested to be made to woundedwarriorproject.org.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99556260602?pwd=aHIGZ21EUGxnRUVITEwvY3BneVgvZz09

Meeting ID: 995 5626 0602

Passcode: 729722