Burl Gene Horton

Graveside services for Burl Gene Horton, 89, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Huntington Cemetery with Pastor Neil Davis and Bro. Glenn Morton officiating.   The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30pm, prior to the service on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

Burl was born on May 22, 1932 in Huntington, Texas, the son of B.W. and Effie Walker Horton.  Burl, being raised alongside his siblings in the great woods of East Texas, was taught from an early age that your word defines you.  His mother and father instilled a love of family, excellent work ethics and the love of Christ.  He reveled in working alongside his parents at their syrup mill, on the farm and in the log woods.   As Burl grew up and had a family of his own, he took immense pride in teaching these same core principals and values to his children.  He married his beloved wife, Alice and together they had 2 beautiful daughters.  He spent many days with his family on camping trips and fishing.  These memories will forever hold a special place in the hearts and minds of his girls.  Burl worked hard for what he wanted and accomplished many milestones in his life.  In 1998, upon her passing, he had to say goodbye to Alice after 47 years of marriage.  Burl was blessed with marrying again and he and Sonya spent the past 22 years together traveling and enjoying each other’s company.  Sonya’s children were dearly loved by Burl and he was honored to have them in his life. 

Burl was a welder by trade, retiring from Texas Foundries and then worked as a school bus driver for Woden ISD.  But by the grace of God, he was a provider who was completely devoted to his family.  He taught them to face every problem they had and work through it.  He was loyal, compassionate and loving.  He led his family by example and made sure each of them knew they were worthy of being loved.  He was a follower of Jesus Christ and passed that devoted faith on with the display of Christianity he shown in his daily life.  Burl brought a sense of calm to those who needed it and left his earthly home without a single enemy.    

Burl also experienced the ultimate gift when he was awarded the name of “Paw”.  Grandchildren brought a joy like no other and he loved them all dearly.  When he was not spending time with his family, he enjoyed tinkering with old cars and being outside.  He was a great dancer (taught his girls how to dance too) and loved music and singing.  Burl’s love of life and inspirational words of encouragement will be missed but the memories made will last a lifetime for those closest to him.

Burl is survived by his wife, Sonya Horton of Nacogdoches; two daughters, Teresa Bell and husband, Larry of Huntington and Traci Fowler and husband, Derrick of Lumberton; also Sonya’s children, Dana Murray and wife, Kelly of Nacogdoches, Lana Lawson and husband, Carl of Nacogdoches, Debra Pace and husband, Alan of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Lynn Faulkner and husband, Kevin of Nacogdoches; his sisters, Mary Lou Havard of Huntington, Jodie Daniel of Lufkin and Dr. Yvonne Marshall and husband, B.D. of Jasper; his grandchildren, Lori Nick and husband, James of Hudson, Lance Bell and wife, Meredith of Pearland, Trent Bell of Huntington and Jordan Fowler of Lumberton, and 4 great grandchildren; and Sonya's 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, B.W. & Effie Horton; first wife and mother of his children, Alice Lee Horton and siblings, Glennis Dominey, Lindburgh Horton and Sue Schoubroek.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lance Bell, Trent Bell, Jordan Fowler, Carl Lawson, Alan Pace, Kevin Faulkner, Derrick Fowler, James Nick, Larry Bell and Dana Murray.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Lindsey Rice of Harbor Hospice for her compassionate care to her "buddy" Burl and Sonya during his illness.

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