Edward Hora

HORA, EDWARD

Col Edward William Hora died on Aug 27, 2014 from complications of mesothelioma. Ed was born in Chicago, Il. on Nov 11, 1924 and grew up in the Windy City. He enlisted in the military immediately after high school and was assigned to the Navy completing his basic training at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho. After additional training he found himself in Philadelphia, PA assisting in the final construction of the flagship U.S.S. Mount McKinely on which he was to serve the next two years of his life as it navigated the South Pacific on a variety of missions including combat. Official Navy records indicate that Ed participated in the Leyte Landings, the assault on Okinawa, the Lingayen Gulf Landing, the capture of the Palau Islands, and the Zambales-Subic Bay operations. These were life-altering experiences that forged an appreciation for life and a deep patriotism from which he never wavered. After the war he was honorably discharged and attended school at the River Falls Teacher College in Wisconsin before moving to Mobile, Alabama to begin his family and career. He was commissioned into the Alabama National Guard in 1951 as a Second Lieutenant. A strong work ethic and sharp mind enabled him to advance quickly and he was transferred to ANG headquarters in Montgomery in the early 1960's. He retired from the Guard as Deputy Adjutant General in the late 1970's. Though he loved outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, his greatest passion was aviation. He earned a pilots license in 1960 and his most enjoyable times were spent around pilots, planes, and airports. A large part of his retired life transpired at the Wetumpka Airport where he kept his plane and savored the company of a large circle of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ida, and his older brother Vernon. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Becky Hora, sister Muriel Galzak, sons William and Robert Hora (Luanne Peters), mother of his sons Barbara Barthes, step-sons Mark, Rod, and Daniel Lanier, grandchildren Laurin Lanier, Ashlee Leonard (Steve), Alison and O'Neil Hora, Abby, Bucky, Emma, and Satchel Lanier, Madison Thompson, and great grandchild Hadlee Leonard. A memorial flyover is planned for the Wetumpka Airport on November 9th at 2:30 PM. If rained out, it will be held on Nov. 11th at 2:30 PM. His many friends and relatives are invited.