of Marshall, AR
July 4, 1936 - April 11, 2023
Coy Leon Horton.
If you knew him, you just smiled.
Coy Leon was born July 4, 1936, the oldest son of Elmer C. and Tabitha J. Horton in Hitachi, Oklahoma. He was born in the Nations, as he told everyone. He was proud of his Cherokee heritage. His mother always said he was a firecracker and he certainly lived up to that promise.
Coy Leon Horton, age 86, of Marshall, Arkansas went to his forever reward on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at Highland Court in Marshall.
Coy Leon was a musician, a singer, a poet (few knew of that), a master gardener, a fisherman, a builder, a lover of bluegrass music, and a wonderful father and Papa. Coy Leon and Jessie were promoters of bluegrass for years at Cold Springs Bluegrass. They had many friends who became valued family through the years.
He became a Master Mason on December 4th, 1973. He was proud to work in the Lodges he belonged to, with his home lodge at Marshall. He was a teacher and mentor to many fellow Masons. His son, Coy E. Horton, was one of his most treasured students.
One of Coy Leon's nicknames was "Dr. Talkalotta". He was a grand story teller, and often shared his stories. He was funny, strong willed, honest, and smart. He expected the best of people and strove to be the best himself in everything he did. He had strong opinions and one knew what they were, because he was not shy about sharing them.
Coy Leon loved his wife, Jessie Marie Blake Horton. For 66 years they shared trials, triumphs, tragedies, and an undying love for each other and their kids, grands, great grands, and their family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jessie; his children, Sandy Horton Ragland (Davey), Coy E. Horton, and Danny Horton (ex-Denise Lutes Horton Morgan); grandchildren, Misty Horton, Laurel Horton Davis, Candice Horton, Jessica Horton Ragland, and Kandace Sigrist; great-grands, Lillie Howerton, Emma Davis, Eli Casazza, S.J. Huyck, Easten Ryder, and Tucker Sigrist; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Many, many other people called Coy Leon "Dad" and Jessie "Mom".
Coy is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Tabitha Horton; and two siblings, Jerry George Horton and Janice Glyn Horton Gray.
Graveside services for Leon will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at Canaan Cemetery with Bro. Brian Ragland officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 till 2:00 PM preceding the service and will be held at the cemetery. Leon will be laid to rest with Masonic Honors. Honorary bearers will be Muryl Fisher, Elmer Fisher, Steve Guinn, Kurt Fisher, Patrick Ragland, Davey Ragland, Randy Keisler, Rick Keisler, Russell Horton, Carl Hoyle, and every Mason Coy Leon ever worked with.
When asking people to help with the service, the highest compliment was given every time with the answer: "I would be honored." Leaving a legacy of honor, honesty, truth, and love is a great accomplishment. Coy Leon accomplished that.
April 11th, 2023, Coy Leon Horton heard, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." Then he went to his family and friends....and started telling stories.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Leon. I had the privilege of sitting in many different lodges with Brother Leon. I also got to fish with “Old man Winkleman†many times. It was always a pleasure. He will be missed for sure.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family.
Mr. Leon sure passed a lot of his character traits to his children! I know you three "children" were his pride and joy above all other worldly things. God bless all of you and your sweet mama as you forge your way ahead physically apart from your daddy. You will be reunited again someday, and the heavens now rejoice that he is with the saints! Love you much!
Sandy and family, my sincerest condolences at this time. Remember Leon, as I called him, as an upright and just man. Take comfort that he lived a full and purposeful life. He’s earned his eternal reward. Bobby Craig Horton
I'm so sorry to hear of Bro Leon's passing. I'm privileged to be one of the many Masons that he influenced over the years. He was not only a great teacher but a great example. He'll be sorely missed.
A good man, a good friend "The Fields Have Turned Brown"
My condolences to all the family. I worked with Mr. Horton at the Highway Department the summer of 82 as a college hire. We spent a lot of time together riding around Searcy County in a dump truck. May you all find comfort in your loss.
My family loved Leon he was a very good man.
Our deepest sympathy
Sandy, so sorry to hear about your Dad, the family is in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about Leon. You all are in my thoughts and prayers
Jessie and children, I am so sorry to learn of Leon's passing. He was one of a kind and a good friend to us. May God hold all of you close at this time
I always enjoyed listening to his stories when he would come by the bank. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Praying for you and the family.
Sandy, I'm sorry for the loss of your dad! Prayers for you and your family at this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss..Prayers for comfort and peace during this most difficult time.
I'm really sorry to hear this. Leon and I were good friends for a long time. He always had a story to tell me. He will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
I remember Leon from when we lived at Canaan,across from store. He was 2 yrs older than me.
So sorry to hear about Leon!! He was a friend and Brother!!
You and your family have our heartfelt sympathy and best wishes for healing. I love hearing all the wonderful stories about your father; his love for family was strong -- he has passed that along to you to cherish and nurture. Keep faith in one another and know that LOVE always remains.
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with him at the bank. He always had a smile and enjoyed talking and always had a tale. He did have a great love of music too. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so sad to hear of your loss. What a memory Leon has left with all who knew him. He always said “I love you†after every conversation! Our sincerest condolences and prayers to your family
We were so sorry to hear about Leon. He was a very special person and we always loved working with him at the blue grass festival at Cold Springs and met a lot of new friends thru him. He will be missed. Prayers for all. Love all of you.
Sandy, Danny, and Coy, I'm sorry to hear of your Father's passing. My thoughts and Prayers are with all of you and your Family. Brenda (Bryan) Dishaw
Prayers are with Coy's family
Prayers of comfort for family and friends
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Cousin, we will miss your funny stories and all the visits we enjoyed.your suffering and pain is over and you are in a much better place . our love and prayers for the whole family and his many friends.
My thoughts and prayers are with Leon’s family and friends. I enjoyed talking to Leon when I delivered propane to him. He was an interesting man and very friendly. I have known him since I was in high school.
So sorry to for your loss. Leon was a really neat guy. I remember use to when I would see him he would always ask about the dog and cat we use to have. There use to be a comercial on the Radio that would play all kinds of animal sounds and every time the comercial came on our cat would fight with the dog. He always thougth that was so funny. Thought a lot of him. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
So sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Brings back lots of memories and all the fish tales. God bless each of you.
We’re so sorry to hear about your dad passing away. We know he is home with the Lord, and that’s a wonderful place to be. We used to love to go to his blue grass show s. The kids were young and they loved it also. We send you all our deepest sympathies, and love, and prayers. He was a good man.