Harland B. Horton, Jr.

Harland B. Horton, Jr., 82, passed away July 23, 2025, surrounded by his family at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. He was born September 19, 1942, in Akron and lived his entire life in the area, the past 58 years in Bath.

Hal was an incredible man. He left an indelible mark on anyone who had the good fortune to know him. Not only because of his stature, but also his intelligence, humility, and kindness.

Hal was a graduate of Buchtel High School (1960), Princeton University (1964), and the University of Akron School of Law (1972). While at Princeton University, Hal played basketball and rowed on varsity crew, which became one of his passions in life.

He spent his entire working life serving at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, and later, at Bridgestone Americas. His career started by bussing tables at Firestone Country Club during high school. While a chemistry student at Princeton, he spent a summer working at the Firestone Research Facility, which led to his senior thesis on polymers. Following graduation, he enjoyed a 40-year career at Bridgestone/Firestone working in several departments, including tire development, racing, quality assurance, and 27 years in the law department as Chief Counsel of Litigation, where he defended the company in products liability litigation and federal regulatory matters. While working at Bridgestone/Firestone, Hal received four Bridgestone/Firestone CEO Awards, which is the company’s highest employee award. After retiring from Bridgestone/Firestone in 2003, he continued his legal career with Hanna, Campbell, & Powell, LLP focusing on projects with Bridgestone/Firestone as his principal client. The semi-retirement allowed for about 30 cruises throughout much of the world plus several weeks each year with family & friends when they could make it to St. John US Virgin Islands.

Hal was involved with many civic organizations and charities including Bath Township Zoning Commission Chairman, Leadership Akron, Akron Better Business Bureau Board Member, Summit Choral Society Board Member, Coming Together Akron Trustee & Executive Board Member, Akron Princeton Alumni Schools Committee Chairman, United Disability Services Board Member, Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund Akron, Ohio Bar Association committees, Product Liability Advisory Council, and Founding Member and Governing Board Member of New Covenant Community Church.

He was married to his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Shaw, for 60 years. Together, they loved to travel all over the country and the world.

Hal was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth McCleary Horton; and father, Harland Bates Horton, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; and their children, Lisa (Brian) Strandberg and Scott (Kate) Horton; grandchildren, Hailey and Braeden Strandberg, and Daniel and Julia Horton; sister, Elizabeth (Robert) Brady; sister-in-law, Patricia Farley; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours 5-8 P.M. WEDNESDAY July 30th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Fairlawn, OH 44333. Funeral service 10 A.M. THURSDAY July 31st at New Covenant Community Church, 1587 W. Exchange St. Akron, OH 44313. Interment to follow at Moore's Chapel Cemetery in Bath. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Hal’s name may be to University Hospitals, New Covenant Community Church, or the charity of your choice. 

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Fairlawn, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)