Thomas Garner Horne

Thomas Garner Horne, 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 2-3:30 PM, at Wilkerson Funeral Home. A short memorial graveside service will be held at 4 PM, in the Mausoleum Chapel in Pinewood Memorial Park.
Tom grew up in the Back Swamp Community in Onslow County. Tom graduated from East Carolina University in 1969, where he met his future wife, Judi Pitt. After graduating from East Carolina University, he and his wife moved to New Bern, NC where he began his career in accounting as a staff accountant with A. M. Pullen & Company.
Tom's technical talent and leadership abilities were recognized quickly with him being admitted to Partner and appointed Managing Partner of the New Bern office before he was 30. He quickly earned recognition in the firm with his successful and rapid growth of the New Bern office and establishing offices in Morehead City, Greenville, and Rocky Mount, and taking over the management of the Raleigh office.
A.M. Pullen merged into what is now RSM LLC, a top six international CPA firm, where he was appointed Managing Partner of the five eastern North Carolina offices, and subsequently, appointed Managing Partner of the Southeast Region comprised of all the offices in Virginia and North Carolina. He successfully accomplished the firm's goals and returned back to New Bern the last few years of his career until he retired. He was respected by RSM's leadership, having served on many committees and task forces and the national Board of Directors from 1984-1987. He served and made significant contributions to the NCACPA and influenced the CPA profession at both the state and national level.
In 2015, Tom was a recipient of the CPA Pinnacle award recognizing him as profoundly and significantly influencing the Association and the CPA profession. This marked the first time the Association awarded this award. In addition to his time with the firm, Tom also served as President of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of CPA's, Eastern North Carolina Management Accountants Association, New Bern Chamber of Commerce, New Bern Rotary Club, and YMCA-Twin Rivers. He held memberships in several other organizations, as well.
There are many CPA's that Tom recruited, trained, and mentored that went on to successful careers after leaving the firm that have high regards and respect for the opportunity Tom gave them. In addition to being a CPA, Tom was highly regarded by clients as their trusted business advisor, always available and providing them with expert business advice. He collaborated with many clients on their estate and ownership succession plans.
Tom's favorite place to be was at the Bay River, where he enjoyed watching the sunsets and enjoying time with family and friends. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, golf cart rides and talking to anyone who would listen.
Tom enjoyed the farm, where he grew up, and was always committed to his roots, and was proud of where he came from. Even with his success, he always loved and appreciated the simple things in life. He was truly loved, admired, and respected by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Garner & Bonnie Fountain Horne; and brother-in-law, William Chapman.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Judi Pitt Horne; daughters, Krista Horne Joyner and husband, Chris, and Melissa Horne Snapp and husband, Courtney; son, Gregory Thomas Horne and wife, Ashley; grandchildren, Hannah Grace Joyner, Hadyn Joyner, Mackenzie Snapp, Lincoln Horne, and Sullivan Horne; brother, John Horne and wife, Gail; sister, MaryAnn H. Chapman; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Spring Arbor in Greenville for taking such wonderful care of Tom over the last two years.
Memorial contributions can be made in Tom's memory to Alzheimers North Carolina, 2245 Stantonsburg Road, #C, Greenville, NC 27834; or Gentiva Hospice, 1003 Red Banks Road, #B, Greenville, NC 27858.