[List] Obituary: Col. JD Horne, Larry Pledger's Step-Dad

[Cecil Stokes]

        *Obituary: Col. JD Horne,
        Larry Pledger's Step-Dad*

Lt. Colonel J D Horne Jr., 92, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away 
peacefully on December 21, 2024, following a brief illness. He was born 
on September 24, 1932, in Fort Worth, Texas to Ina Mae and Jefferson 
Davis Horne. Lt. Col. Horne attended Arlington State College and Texas 
Christian University and received a bachelor's degree from Auburn 
University and a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma. He 
served in the U.S. Army for 22 years where he served as an aviator and 
aeronautical engineer, and at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for 25 
years where he served in managerial positions including Director of the 
Executive Staff and Plant Operations. After retiring from NASA, he 
became Executive Director of Sci Quest Children's Hands on Science 
Center and served in that position for 10 years.

Lt. Col. Horne served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he piloted 
helicopters and flew many rescue missions. He was an instructor pilot 
and considered his aviator career as his pride and joy. Flying was his 
life-long favorite career. He received many awards during his careers, 
including Senior Army Aviator Badge, U.S. Meritorious Service Medal, 
Vietnam Gallantry Medal, a Silver Snoopy, and was involved in Marshall 
Space Flight Center's United Way charities.

Lt. Col. Horne has been a resident of Huntsville and Madison, Alabama 
since his retirement from the Army in 1975. He dearly loved singing 
barbershop music harmony and was a member of the Rocket City Chorus and 
many additional choruses for 50 years. He was gifted with many musical 
abilities. He will be remembered as a loving and kind gentleman who was 
highly respected by all who knew him.

Lt. Col Horne was preceded in death by his parents, and wife of 22 
years, Marilyn Horne. Lt. Col. Horne is survived by a loving family, his 
wife of 28 years, Eleanor Horne; stepsons, Larry Pledger (Charla), 
Michael Hall Sr. (Chrissy), and Jack Hall (Wendy); grandchildren, Kari 
Morton, Michael Hall Jr., and Sarah Laster; and great-grandchildren, 
Charlie Rose Morton, Milo Morton, Nate Laster, and Chloe Laster.

Visitation for Lt. Col. Horne will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 
Friday, December 27, 2024, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral 
service will follow in the chapel with Dr. Tommy Gray of Asbury Church 
officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Asbury 
Church, Madison, Alabama.
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