Jerry Horton
1943-2014
Jerry Horton, 71; Lifetime Big Pine resident Argus Jerald “Jerry” Horton, also known as Moon to good friends and family, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Thursday May 22, 2014. He was 71.
Jerry was born March 18, 1943 at the Northern Inyo Hospital. His parents, Clyde & Minnie Horton, sister Mary Ann and brother Jim “Norg”, preceded Jerry in death. He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 48 years Judy, daughter Joia Bear and grandchildren Parker & Audrey Bear of Big Pine, daughter and son in law Jody & Dave Hallmen, grandchild Carl Hallmen of Boise, ID, niece Mary Ann Horton of Dyer, NV, nephew Dana Miller and wife Ellen of San Mateo, CA and Mikko Miller of Burlingame, CA.
Jerry owned and operated Horton Bros. Painting for 44 years. He loved fly-fishing Big Pine Creek, backpacking the backcountry to fish for golden trout, riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles and restoring classic cars, hot rods and playing guitar. Jerry’s love of music extended throughout his entire life. In the early years his music was enjoyed at numerous venues and celebrations up and down the valley, the most memorable time during these years was with The Bottom of the Barrel. Jerry also led worship for 25 years at local churches where he was honored to share his love of Jesus thru music. Above all, Jerry loved his family
Jerry is now at peace and is home celebrating with his precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Services to be officiated by Pastor Leon Baker, Saturday, May 31st, 2:00 p.m. at Mendenhall Park, Big Pine, CA followed by the burial at Big Pine cemetery. A potluck celebration of life will be held after the burial back at Mendenhall Park.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Big Pine Fire Department may be sent to P.O. box 382, Big Pine, CA 93513.
Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News - The Community's News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
(08-01-2016) I was speaking with a friend about ‘great painters’ I’d known and remembered Jerry. But could not recall his last name so that was how I found out he passed. Jerry painted my motorcycle back in ’89-90. I drove the parts up from S. CA. What a guy he was sharing his love for Jesus while discussing the finer points of his artictic craft. God Bless his family, God Speed as Jerry is now in Heaven. A very fine Christian with his Savior.
Recently, I learned of my friend Jerry’s passing. I remembered immediate the good times we had with our nice cars and chopper motorcyles. I also remembered he and his brother Jim buying the first Chevy Monzas in town, and custom painting them the the unusual colors of pearliest white. That paint job would change the color of the cars depending on the sun shine. Quite original for that time. RIP my friend.
Jerry Horton…a man’s man, for sure, but undoubtedly, a great man to everyone who was blessed to know him. One who lived his life as the man God created him to be. An original…a Masterpiece.
Remembering him today brings tears to my eyes. Tears for the joys I had when near him, and tears for the joys missed through the years due to geography and this thing called life.
Some of my very earliest memories were accompanying my Dad to Bishop for a monthly Bible Study..one of my fondest memories to this day. Jerry Horton was one of those many caring people who accepted and loved me so readily. Not just some little kid in the corner, but someone to put a little extra care on. What a great community of people.
What I remember about Jerry is that he always had a genuine warmth and smile, a certain and sincere love of the Lord…and one of the biggest hearts God ever made.
While I never worked on cars or fished with Jerry, I do remember thoroughly enjoying him play his guitar. THAT was a treat for me. Even today, as I’m sure you are, I’m listening to several renditions of “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad”. I’m biased, but there just aren’t any as sincere and passionate as what I remember coming from him. Eyes closed, head twisted, he’d let it flow. He set the standard for me, but it was never about anything but worshipping the Lord.
As a kid, I remember thinking this day would come…and like the bat of an eye, here it is…his days in the presence of the Lord already adding up.
– As you roll across the trestle
– Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide
– You behold the Union Depot into which your train will glide
– There you’ll meet the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son
– With a hearty, joyous greeting, “Weary Pilgrim, Welcome Home!”
– Blessed Savior thou will guide us ‘til we reach that blissful shore where the angels wait to join us in God’s praise forevermore.
It’s a beautiful thing, this thing called life. And it’s a beautiful plan, this plan called eternity. I know that when I arrive before the throne, I’ll have the corner of my eye looking out for Jerry and his guitar; a few thousand years of that sounds good to me!
I can’t name a person that my Dad doesn’t love…but that’s different than likin’ somebody. Dad has never said this to me, but I will tell you that if I know my Dad at all, Jerry Horton was one of my Dad’s favorite people. I could always tell a difference when my Dad was around Jerry. Subtle, but he was always a little more happy, a little more casual; like he was about to get a gift, and he was ready with open arms.
That’s who Jerry was, at the end of the day, though, wasn’t he? A gift that we all were excited to receive, and a man we all enjoyed being able to love.
Well Done, Jerry Horton. You made your dash count. You cast a wide net of love. You left the world a better place, and you inspired others to live like the Jesus you loved.
Until then, and with Great Respect,
Leon (the Idaho) Baker…
Godspeed. Good to have met you Jerry.