Kenneth L. Horne

Kenneth L. Horne passed away at The Hamptons in Tyler on December 22, 2025. Ken, as he was known by most of his friends, was born on March 14, 1930, in Mitchell, Louisiana to Catherine and Lee Horne. His parents moved shortly after his birth to Gladewater, Texas until they could find housing in Kilgore, Texas. This was the beginning of the great East Texas Oil Boom and housing was hard to find.

Ken began his schooling in Kilgore at Kilgore High School in 1948. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled at Kilgore Junior College and graduated from Kilgore College in 1950 with an Associate of Arts degree and then enrolled at the University of Texas, Austin and was pursuing his degree in the business school when he was drafted into the United States Army. He served two years in the U.S. Army beginning his basic training at Camp Roberts Military Base in Paso Robles, California and then going to Fort Benning, Georgia to begin officer candidate school. After serving 2 years in the military, he returned to the University of Texas to complete his college education.

Upon graduating from the University of Texas, Austin, he began his career working for Sanger Brothers Department Store in Dallas in their home furnishings and design department as an Assistant Buyer/Manager. While at Sangers he was in their management training program and graduated number one in his class. He worked at Sanger Brothers from June 1955 until spring of 1957, when he moved back to Kilgore to begin his business association with Almands House of Furnishings. He worked for Almands House of Furnishing from 1957 until the store was closed in 1992, and he opened his own business. Ken has been in the interior design business for over 50 years, serving clients throughout the East Texas area as well as Arkansas and Louisiana.

Ken was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Better Business Association, and a lifetime member of Marvin Methodist Church. Before moving to Tyler, he was a long-time member of St. Luke's Methodist Church in Kilgore. He was a longtime member of the Marvin Chancel Choir and the adult class of St. Luke's Methodist Church. He was also a member of Willow Brook Country Club, and served on the board of the Amberwood Home Owners Association, and held many positions at Marvin Methodist Church.

Ken is survived by his niece, Susan and Kenny Diciolla of Wildomar, California and nephew, Brian Gonzales also of Wildomar, California. Other relatives and special friends are: Virginia and Paul Low, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Avery Bengtson, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Wingo, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Pickett, and Mary Lynn Powell.

A memorial graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Kilgore City Cemetery with Rev. Buddy Powell and Rev. Brandy Stevens officiating, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.