of Clarksville, TX

May 30, 2023

Richard Leon Horton, age 79, of Royse City, Texas passed from his earthly life May 30th, 2023. He was born in Marshall, Arkansas on September 20th, 1943 to Roy S and Alice Williams Horton, as the youngest of six children. He married the love of his life, Violet McEntire, on November 3rd, 1960 after they met at a high school basketball game.

They lived in Marshall, Arkansas where he managed the family business, Roy Horton Chevrolet, alongside his sister, Kathleen Sanders, until 1985. He then moved to Texas to join another family business, D.R. Horton Homes and worked there until he retired on September 30th, 1997. After retirement, he served on the board of directors of D.R. Horton for several years. He shared a passion of thoroughbred horse racing with his brother, Willis Horton and two nephews, Terry and Cam Horton. Not one to remain idle, Leon and Violet bought a cattle ranch in Mt. Vernon, Texas and moved in 2001. He then found the perfect spot to expand his cattle ranch in Clarksville, Texas, which he affectionately named 4 Stars Ranch after his four children. He loved working with "his girls" (his cows) and raising a beautiful, large garden yearly. Any produce they did not can, freeze or preserve was shared with their family and church friends. Of all his endeavors, his most prized roles were husband, dad and papaw. He loved his grandchildren and spent hours teaching them to hunt and fish. He enjoyed sharing stories with them about his time spent at Pro Bass Fishing tournaments. While residing in Clarksville, he was a faithful member of the Clarksville First Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and a member of several committees.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Alice Horton; brothers, T.J., Eugene, Eutaw and Willis Horton; sister, Kathleen Sanders; brother-in-law, Lloyd McEntire and grandson, Benjamin Passmore.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Violet Horton; son, Rick (Traci) Horton of Nevada, Texas; daughters, Valorie (Wendel) Passmore of Marshall, Arkansas, Shawn (Pat) Carter of Royse City, Texas and Cynthia (Scott) Wilburn of Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren (number 15 due in November); sisters-in-laws, Wilma Horton of Morrilton, Arkansas, Glenda Horton of Marshall, Arkansas and Maybelle (Kenny) Morris of North Little Rock, Arkansas; special niece and favorite travel buddy, Sandy Horton of Braselton, Georgia; along with numerous nephews and nieces. The family would like to extend a special thanks to his angel caregiver, Vangie McCormick.

Following funeral services in Texas on Friday, Leon will be brought home to Arkansas. Funeral services for Leon will be 11:00 AM Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with his lifelong friend and classmate, Rev. Don Campbell officiating. Terry Horton will serve as eulogist. Visitation will be 10:00 till 11:00 preceding the service. Burial will be in Marshall Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be his six grandsons, Alan Watts, Austin Passmore, Kyle Horton, John Scott Wilburn, Joshua Wilburn, Jacob Wilburn and great grandson, Bryce Cooper.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com