J. Wright Horton

J. Wright Horton

Greenville

J. Wright Horton, age 91, of 3 Hoke Smith Blvd., Greenville, S.C. died on July 20, 2011 at Rolling Green Village.

Born in Belton, South Carolina, he was the youngest son of John Aiken and Emmae Tate Horton. He was an Eagle Scout. After attending the Belton public schools, he graduated with honors from Furman University in 1942, receiving the Bradshaw-Feaster Medal for general excellence. During World War II, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps primarily in the remote areas of the South Pacific, receiving the Silver Star Medal for gallantry on Guadalcanal. At the time of his death, he had achieved the rank of Colonel, U.S.M.C.R., Retired.

Following graduation from Harvard Law School, he married the former Eunice Todd Rice, also of Belton, South Carolina, in 1948. He maintained his home and engaged in the practice of law until retirement in Greenville, South Carolina.

Mr. Horton was widely involved in numerous church and community activities, serving, among other activities, as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, a Trustee of the Greenville County School District, Director and President of the Greenville Family and Children's Service; Board of Directors of the Greenville Mental Health Clinic, the Salvation Army, the Greenville County Foundation, and the United Fund of Greenville County, serving also as President of the latter in 1959. He was a member of the Greenville Country Club and the county, state and American Bar Associations, serving as President of the Greenville County Bar in 1981.

Surviving are his wife, Eunice Rice; three sons, Wright Horton Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Herndon, Virginia; Max Horton and his wife, Joan, of Chester, South Carolina; and Rex Horton and his wife, Sandra, of Simpsonville, South Carolina; three granddaughters, Sarah, Renee, and Christin; and two great grandchildren, Kyleigh and Brexton.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Mackey Mortuary with the Rev. Max Rice and Rev. Brad Bardin officiating. The family will receive friends before the service at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Lay Christian Association (PO Box 8217, Greenville SC 29604-8217), the Salvation Army (417 Rutherford Road, Greenville SC 29609) or the charity of one's choice.

The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive. Obit and online condolences at www.mackeymortuary.com