Donald Horton

Donald Gray Horton

Graveside services for Donald Gray Horton of Coushatta, LA will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Springville Cemetery, with Rev. John Kavanaugh officiating. Visitation is scheduled for the evening of Friday, June 7, 2013 from 5:30 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home of Coushatta, LA.

Donald was born on May 24, 1945 and passed away on June 4, 2013 as a result of a recent illness and related complications.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvie Stothart Horton Stuart and Aldine H. Horton; and his step-father, John G. Stuart; as well as his brother John Charles Stuart.

Donald is survived by his wife Pat Hayden Horton, as well as his sons John and Leland Horton. Leland is married to Cherry Ingram Horton, and they have three children, Emily, Alex, and Ethan. Donald is also survived by his brother Alden Horton and wife Susan, along with Donald's nephews Stuart and Brian Horton, and their children Grace, Sam, Kate, Jacob, and Natalie Horton.

Donald was proud to have been a husband and father in Coushatta, Louisiana, as well as an active and productive member of the local communities in both Coushatta and Natchitoches. In addition to his family and professional activities, Donald gave substantial contributions of time, leadership, and money over his lifetime to the Northwestern State University Athletic Association, the Red River Parish Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, the Krewe of Dionysos, the Coushatta Country Club, the United Methodist Church, Riverdale Academy, and many other local organizations. Donald, along with his wife Pat, also helped numerous individuals and organizations with smaller contributions. Donald particularly enjoyed his work to employ many people in Red River Parish at the The Famous Natchitoches Louisiana Meat Pie Company, in Coushatta.

Donald was also proud of his work as a lawyer for many people in Red River Parish, including his substantial and successful work for the Red River Waterway Commission and the John K. Kelly Grand Bayou Reservoir.

Donald graduated from Coushatta High School, Northwestern State University, and Tulane Law School. Donald attended Northwestern on an athletic scholarship and was a member of the football team. After finishing law school, Donald returned to Coushatta to practice law with a local attorney. He later was a member of The Horton and Jones Law Firm, and eventually retired from practicing law at his own firm, The Donald Horton Law Firm.

Later in life, Donald Horton was a half owner in The Famous Natchitoches Louisiana Meat Pie Company, which maintains substantial operations in Coushatta, Louisiana to this day.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, those so inclined might consider instead making a donation in Donald's memory to the Springville Cemetery Association, the Northwestern State University Athletic Association (for a specific project to be determined by the family at a later time), or the First United Methodist Church of Coushatta, Louisiana.