Horace Young Tuttle

LONGVIEW — Horace Young Tuttle was born June 30, 1917, in White Oak, Texas. Mr. Tuttle departed this earth to join his heavenly Father on September 1, 2012.
As a young man, Horace enjoyed horseback riding and pick up rodeos on a Saturday afternoon with friends. His dad, Lee Young Tuttle, gave Horace his first horse at the age of 13. For the next two years, he never lost a horse race on his strawberry roan horse and some of those races included "any car" on the roads at that time.
Horace graduated from Longview High School in 1936 and the following year moved to Marshall, Texas, with his folks. After working several odd jobs, he saw the need for further education. His late uncle, Jack Tuttle, invited Horace to live at his home in order to help further his education at the Bish Mathis Institute in Longview. Horace and his cousin, Robert Tuttle, enrolled in the institute together. The agreement was that Horace would provide the transportation in good weather, (he loved motor cycles) and Robert would provide the transportation in bad weather (he had the car).
Upon completing his business courses, Horace was employed as a book­keeper for Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. in Longview. After a short stay at Pepsi, he began working for Production Credit Asso­ciation in Marshall, Texas. This was a nationwide government organization and offered more long-term opportunities.
Horace Tuttle's employment at Production Credit Association was interrupted in 1941 when he received his draft notice in the mail to report to duty. He passed his physical and was sworn in to the U.S. Army Air Corps at noon CST and was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. This was a world-wide replacement center for troops. After a few weeks in basic training, Horace received his assignment to New Guinea. For reasons unknown to him, the good Lord intervened and his name was removed from the assignment sheet. After two more weeks in basic training, Horace was sent to Moody Field in Valdosta, Georgia, to serve in the 463rd air squadron.
After serving three years and eight months, and attaining the rank of technical sergeant, Horace was transferred to Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Here he trained on the use of heavy equipment in preparation of being sent overseas. After his training was complete, Horace was transferred to Kerns, Utah, to ship out overseas.
At this point, World War II was coming to a close and Horace had accumulated enough service points to be discharged. Again the Lord intervened, and he was not sent overseas. By this time, Horace had already made plans to marry his current wife of 67 years, Vondell Marie Stracener Tuttle. He and Vondell were married on June 17, 1945, and returned to Marshall, Texas. A short time later, Horace went back to work for Production Credit Association.
He continued his work with Production Credit Association for 12 years. During the time, Horace and Vondell had a daughter, Janice Marie Tuttle, and a son, Horace Michael Tuttle. They were members of Central Baptist Church in Marshall.
In 1957, the Tuttle family moved to Longview. Horace received an opportunity to work at Longview Bank. After four years with Longview Bank, he accepted a job with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board out of Washington, D.C., as a bank examiner. Horace's family was not asked to relocate. The family joined the First Baptist Church in Longview, and for the next 50 plus years, they lived at their residence in Longview, Texas.
Horace is a 32nd degree Mason. He earned a lifetime membership in the Scottish Rite, and for more than 60 years, he was an active member in the Knights of Pythians. He also served as financial secretary for more than 21 years. Horace was also a member of the Knights of Karassa for more than 40 years.
After 27 years in the examining division with the Federal Home Loan Bank in Washington, D.C., Horace was transferred to the Dallas office and finished his career during the next two years before retiring in 1987.
Horace is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Vondell Marie Stracener Tuttle; sister, Margaret Boring of Longview, Texas; daughter, Janice Marie Tuttle Kibbe and her husband, Russell; grandson, Ryan Eugene Kibbe and his wife, Dawn; great-grandsons, Drew Kibbe and Cal Kibbe; and great-granddaughter, Paige Kibbe; and grandson, Griffin Young Kibbe and his wife, Kim; and great-grandsons, Reese Kibbe and Ryland Kibbe; and son, Horace Michael Tuttle and his wife, Toni; granddaughter, Amanda Tuttle Thielen and her husband, Steve; great-granddaughter, Brianna Thielen; and great-grandson, Beau Thielen; and grandson, Michael Quinn Tuttle and his wife, Alyson; great-granddaughters, Summer Tuttle and Samantha Tuttle; and great-grandson, Travis Tuttle.
There will be a time of visitation from 4-6 p.m. today, September 3, 2012, at Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in White Oak Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 209 East South Street, Longview, TX 75601.
A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com