Paul Harold Horton

Paul Harold Horton, 87, of Hollis, passed away early Friday morning, March 27, 2015, at Harmon Memorial Hospital in Hollis.

Mr. Horton was born in Friona, Texas on Oct. 26, 1927, to Joseph Jones and Viva (Storhoff) Horton. At the age of seven, Paul moved to Hollis, where his dad served as a veterinarian for many years. After graduating from Hollis, in 1946, Paul attended Cameron Junior College in Lawton where he played football. While at Cameron he played in the Jr. Rose Boll. Paul finished his bachelor's degree in agriculture at Colorado A&M University, at Ft. Collins while on a football scholarship.

Following graduation, Paul was drafted into the United States Army, during the Korean War, with his first assignment being a meat inspector, in Chicago. He was later assigned to Ft. Worth, Texas where he continued meat inspection until being discharged and moving back to Hollis. On Oct. 7, 1952, Paul married the love of his life, Sammy Lane Davis, and they spent the next 62 wonderful years together before his death. After their marriage, Paul began farming with his dad and working at the Chickasha Cotton Oil Mill, located in Hollis. After its closing, Paul had an opportunity to purchase the Oil Mill and called it the Hollis Cotton Oil Mill. At the same time, Paul and Doug Burns began Western Fibers which he later bought and continued to run the Oil Mill, Western Fibers and farmed. Paul ran the Oil Mill until it closed, but continued his farming operation and Western Fibers until his health began to fail. A longtime member of the Church of Christ, Paul was a member of the Oklahoma Water Resource Board, the Harmon Memorial Hospital Board, the Hollis School Board, the Harmon County Chamber of Commerce and many other worthwhile endeavors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joe Charles Horton and James Thomas Horton; and a granddaughter, Jodi Huff.

He is survived by his wife, Sammy Horton, of the home in Hollis; three children, Kristin Kelly and husband Joe of Humphrey, Paul Kelly Horton and wife Lori of Hollis, and Kathryn Robinson and husband Roger of Hollis; 15 grandchildren, Robert Whorton, Josh Whorton, Lindsay Whorton Turner, Ashley Whorton Kane, Jonathan Kelly, Leslie Kelly, Chad Kelly, Jerri Kelly, Scott Horton, Carrie Skelton, Randi Gray, Shaela McKaughan, Jared Robinson, Jacob Robinson and Jaimala Bogle; 26 great-grandchildren with one on the way; along with many other relatives and friends.

A private family graveside service was held with Jacob Robinson and Corey Johnson officiating.

Services were under the direction of Harmon County Funeral Home of Hollis.

Online tributes may be made to the family at www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com