Donald C. Horton

A family graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home, Chickasha, OK.  There will be a church service at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Epworth United Methodist Church, Chickasha, OK and will be livestreamed. Memorial contributions may be made to Oklahoma United Methodist Volunteers in Missions or to Epworth United Methodist Church Endowment Fund.

Donald C. Horton was born on September 3, 1928 in Kane, Pennsylvania to George and Lillian Horton.  He went home to his Savior on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Don was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ for most of his life.  He was humble and known for his kindness, wit, and sense of humor.  He enjoyed sharing his humor and sharing in the humor of others with a memorable laugh and a clap of his hands.  And yet, he was a private and gracious man with simple tastes.  He had two great loves in his life, his Lord and his family and he served them both with his full and unique devotion.  He lived a full life and a life full of service to his congregations and communities.

He graduated in 1946 from Mill Creek High School, Mill Creek, Pennsylvania where he was the valedictorian.  After his graduation, he and a friend served as "Seagoing Cowboys" through the United Brethren Church. As a Cowboy he joined the European reconstruction efforts working on ships that transported cattle and horses to Poland and Greece.  He attended Penn State University majoring in Agriculture Education, preparing for a life career as a missionary.  He served in the Army as a medic during the Korean War and developed an admiration for the Korean people.  He worshipped with them and even began learning their language.

After the Army, he attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU.  He was appointed to be the pastor at Milburn and Achille Methodist Churches.  He met and married the love of his life, Sarah Jane Pugh, in Achille, OK on June 4, 1954.  He then served at Wright City, OK.

After graduation in 1955, Don and Sarah moved to Pennsylvania where he served at Bethel Methodist Church before he was given the opportunity to serve in a missionary role for Henderson Settlement in Frakes , Kentucky.  It was during his time there he acknowledged his call to serve as a pastor to the local church.  Returning to Pennsylvania, he served the McKean and Franklin Center Methodist Churches before moving to Saegertown and Blooming Valley.  While serving in Connellsville, he felt God leading him to Oklahoma so that Sarah could be closer to her parents.

In 1975 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference and during the next 22 years he served at churches in Bartlesville, Chickasha, Stroud, Oklahoma City, Hugo and Stigler.  He retired in 1997 but then became an associate pastor in Enid before establishing real roots in Chickasha, Oklahoma when he became active in Epworth United Methodist Church serving on committees and leading a worship ministry to the Glenhaven Nursing Home.

His passion for mission work remained through his life.  He was very active in the Volunteers in Mission and had the opportunity to serve in Alaska, Louisiana, Texas, Rio Bravo, Mexico and other places.  During his pastorate at Ridgecrest UMC in Oklahoma City, the church services were taped and sent to blind people all over the world as part of another form of ministry.  By following God's will to become a local pastor, he was able to fulfill his dream to be a missionary.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Dorothy Lupascu.

Don is survived by his wife, Sarah Horton;

His children:  Phyllis Michaud and husband, Tim; Rev. Charles W. Horton and wife, Nancy; Paul Horton and wife and wife, Jo; James D. Horton and wife, Pamela; and David M. Horton and wife, Terri;

13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Sisters-in-law, Marjo Taylor, Lillian Garrett and

Brother-in-law, Eddy Pugh;

and numrous nieces and nephews.