James "skip" Frederick Horton, Jr.

James Frederick Horton, Jr. March 22, 1933 – June 15, 2018 James Frederick “Skip” Horton, Jr. passed away Friday, June 15, 2018. Skip was born in Kinston, Lenoir County on March 22, 1933. A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Baptist Church, 202 N Kincaid Avenue, Wilson. Pastor Steve Strickland will officiate. A private graveside will be held. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall, and other times at the home. Their gracious neighbors, Jason and Candice will allow parking in their yard. Skip’s life has been defined by his devotion to God. He moved to Wilson in 1935 when his father opened Horton Dental Laboratory in the Farris Building downtown Wilson and later in the National Bank Building. His early school years were spent at Woodard School, then Chas L. Coon High School where he graduated in 1951. Skip served as President of the student body there. He attended Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Pittman in Howard Chapel on campus. They were married on October 4, 1952. Skip was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War, he was stationed at Walter Reid Hospital Army Dental Laboratory for two years. On returning to Wilson, he went to work with his father in the Horton Dental Laboratory business. Skip has served as President of the North Carolina Dental Laboratory Association, on the Board of Directors, and also as Secretary and Treasurer. In 1995 he passed the lab business on to his son, Brian Horton, but he continued to assist Brian until June 7, 2018 Skip’s first love was his God, then his family, his church, and his country. When he returned to Wilson from the Army, he and his family were led to Grace Baptist Church where he started scout troop #399. He touched the lives of many during his ministry. Skip loved singing in the choir at Grace Baptist Church, but his passion was teaching the Gospel. Skip taught many Sunday School classes, but his favorite was Young Married Couples. He served as a deacon, on the Board of Trustees, and the Building and Grounds Committee. He loved seeing God’s work in the building phase of both buildings on Kincaid Avenue. Skip’s life was a true witness for the Lord. Skip and his loving wife of sixty-four years, Ruth Ann, were blessed with three sons, James “Rick” Frederick Horton, III and wife, Patsy, David Woodley Horton and wife, Joan, and Brian Pittman Horton and wife, Cindy; five grandchildren, Allison Pittman Horton Turbeville and husband, Will, Brian Pittman Horton, Jr., and wife, Summer, James Frederick Horton, IV, and William Andrew Horton, and three great-grandchildren, Blake William Turbeville, Addison Elizabeth Turbeville, and Carter Thomas Horton. He was preceded in death by his grandson, David Woodley Horton, Jr., his parents, James Frederick “Fred” Horton, Sr. and Gretchen Harper Horton, and his brother, Dr. Thomas Joseph Horton. God blessed the Horton family with such gracious kindness and professional help, the family would like to express their thanks for the care and compassion from Wake Medical in Raleigh, Dr. John Sinden and Marian Uly, Dr. Anwar Haidary, his staff and Janice Pridgen, and 3HC Home, Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Skip’s memory to Grace Baptist Church, Building Fund, or Music Department, 202 N. Kincaid Avenue, Wilson, North Carolina 27893 or 3HC Hospice, 2305 Wellington Drive SW, Suite C, Wilson, North Carolina 2793. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.