Perry Lad Horacek

Perry Lad Horacek, age 91, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in Garden Plain, KS.

He was born June 11, 1934 in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Ladislav A. (Jake) Horacek and Martha B. (Horn) Horacek. Perry grew up in Fremont, Nebraska where he graduated high school. Later he served in the US Army before taking his discharge. Perry earned his Bachelor degree in Structural Engineering and Architecture from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and in September 1957 he married Virginia (Ginger) McDaniel, the love of his life.

After graduating from university, Perry and Ginger moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where they would spend the next 60 some years raising children and grandchildren while establishing his architectural legacy, designing some of Lawton's most well known landmarks.

His early career began with Cottingham & Cook Architects where he worked on many local projects. Later, Perry partnered with Richard Smith to create the company, Horacek & Smith Inc and in1990 he was a governor nominated member of the Oklahoma Board of Architects.

As a prominent architect, Perry's designs for commercial buildings, churches and bridges can be seen across the State of Oklahoma and Ft. Sill Military base. Some of his favorite designs and projects were:

The family home in the beautiful Wichita Mountains

527 C Avenue - remodel for Horacek and Smith Inc office

Cheyenne County Courthouse in Oklahoma

Comanche County Memorial Hospital additions

The Lawton Public Library

Perry and Ginger had five very active children who kept them busy with sports, FFA stock shows, swimming parties and class trips at Elgin HS over the years. To their delight, spouses and grandchildren soon arrived.

In his time off, Perry loved to fish salmon and would travel many summers to his brother Chuck's Talkeetna, Alaska cabin where he could get away from it all. Over the years it became the "boys trip" where his sons and friends would join to explore the wilderness and get rowdy. It was in Alaska that Perry sufficiently exercised his ability for "the sinker" which became the family term for "taking a nap."

He loved to treat his grandchildren and himself to Saturday morning donuts. His nieces, nephews and grandchildren would mostly refer to him as "The Grand Poobah", which made him chuckle with joy. He was never too shy to take the chance to put on a silly hat and dance around to be the class clown and make the room laugh.

Animals loved Perry, who provided them with much care, loving protection, and more than a few kernels of popcorn on the floor. He would often refer to his adored pets as "his people."

Sports were a staple for Perry, particularly his alma mater, Oklahoma State University football and basketball teams, and of course the OKC Thunder who he avidly supported from inception until their 2025 NBA championship, which was a wonderful highlight for him.

Perry is survived by five children and their spouses, Pamela Horacek, Dallas, Texas and partner Shawna McCune, D.V.M Lawton, Jamie Horacek Rodriguez and husband Orlando Rodriguez, Lawton, Leslie Horacek and partner Jason Kravitz, Brussels, Belgium, Jeff Horacek, M.D and wife Heather Nielsen Horacek, Hood River, Oregon, John Horacek and wife Elaine, Garden Plain, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, Blakley Bassel and her husband Corey Greer, Solymar Rodriguez, Orlando Rodriguez Jr., Anna Horacek, Christina Horacek, Grace Clute, Hanna Clute and Lara Clute, Blake Messina and his wife Meg, Hayden Horacek and Kennedy Horacek; also survived by his sisters-in-law Judy, Adrienne, Mary Horacek, Mary McDaniel and many beloved nieces and nephews.

His parents Jake and Martha, wife Ginger and 3 brothers, Jerry, Chuck, and Pete, brother-in-law John McDaniel preceded him in death.

The family would like to give our deepest thanks to those who watched over and cared for Perry in the last years in Kansas. Sarah Simon provided loving home care before he moved into Sunflower Z home where he was beloved by his fellow residents and kindhearted staff. You are truly angels who made each day special with your caring, laughter or a friendly hug.

Funeral service for Perry Horacek will be 12:00 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2025 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church (910 NW 38th St. Lawton, OK 73505). A 2:00 p.m. burial will follow in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin. The family will greet friends from 4-6pm Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Mike's Sports Grill located at 517 East Gore Boulevard, Lawton, OK.

In lieu of flowers, Perry asked that we make private donations to honor the nursing staff that cared for him in his last years. If you would like to make a donation please venmo: @Elaine-Horacek and place the words "Perry Memorial".