Navy veteran loved military, music, family
According to those who knew him best, James Horn had three simple loves in life: his family, the military and music.
Known to family and friends as “J.D.,” Horn died Friday after a yearlong battle with bone marrow cancer. He was 78.
“When he was a kid, he used to sing all day,” his son, James R. Horn, said. “His voice was phenomenal.”
Horn was born in1935 in Malvern, Ark., a town of fewer than10,000 people.
As a boy, he fell in love with singing, spending his summers practicing hymns with a church choir in Malvern.
His passion for music ultimately grew to include various instruments, and he taught himself to play the banjo in 1954 and the guitar later in life.
Music provided the opportunity to travel the world — not unlike one of his other loves, the United States military.
Itching to escape the family farm and life in a small town, Horn joined the U.S. Navy in 1952.
“He told me once, ‘I don’t want to go fishing. I don’t want to be at the ocean — I want to be on the ocean,’” his son said.
His affection for the ocean also led Horn to unforgettable adventures — like removing pieces of the Apollo11rocket used for the lunar-landing mission from the Atlantic Ocean.
Horn kept pictures of the salvaged pieces and loved showing them to people, his son said.
He spent 21 years in the Navy as a chief petty officer, and although he enlisted searching for adventure, the friendships he built in the military were what he really cherished, family members said.
“His favorite part of his time in the Navy were his friends,” said Sonda Noble, Horn’s daughter. “He still kept in touch with most of them.”
The Navy also provided Horn the opportunity to see the world. “He had a blast,” his son said. Horn’s naval career eventually brought him to Florida, and he liked the state enough to stay here after retirement from the service in 1973.
After that, Horn focused on two things — his family and sharing his love for music throughout the state.
He played in various bands, traveling to small bars and clubs for paid performances, his children said.
Horn also madetime to organize andplay in bands for free showsat veterans hospitals and nursing homes throughout Florida.
“Half the people would want to be part of the band when he was done,” his son said. “He was a true entertainer.”
Horn’s love for music inspired his wife, Bettye S. Horn, to travel with him to each of his shows during their 57 years of marriage.
“She always loved going to see him,” their daughter said.
Having his wife at his shows was just one way Horn carved out time for his family.
“He was always there for us,” his daughter said. “He was just a special man.”
In addition to his wife, son and daughter, Horn is survived by another daughter, Bambi Marriott, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
The National Cremation & Burial Society in Oviedo is handling arrangements. The family will have a celebration of life there Friday at 2 p.m.