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Jackson Horton Obituary
Jack was born on August 14, 1952 in Waukegan, Illinois to Jackson Horton and Nancy Kaiser Horton. As a young man he grew up between New Canaan, Connecticut and McLean, Virginia, graduating from New Canaan High School. Jack went on to study Economics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974. During his time at his treasured Alma mater, Jack was an active member of the Theta Chi fraternity, serving as Vice President. During his time at Wisconsin, Jack also served as President of the Interfraternity Council and was President of "Ski for Cancer." His 4 years at Wisconsin were also where many of his lifelong friendships started and where he met his wife, Karen Zahn Horton.
Jack went on to enjoy a successful and personally fulfilling professional life. Jack spent 18 years with IBM as Director of Market Operations and then 33 years as an entrepreneur working on complex national interest issues. However, Jack's greatest joy in life was his family.
Jack and Karen married in 1975 in St. Davids, Pennsylvania and recently marked 50 years of marriage on March 22, 2025. In 1983, Jack and Karen moved to Reston, Virginia after welcoming their daughter, Lesley Brooke Horton, and in 1986, their son, Scott Jackson Horton. They enjoyed special summers with extended family in Canada, fishing and swimming in Lake Opinicon, and wonderful times at the seaside in Long Beach and Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Jack was a fixture at his children's sporting events and that love of sports extended to his Wisconsin Badgers football team and the Washington Nationals. Jack was also an active member of the Reston community and enjoyed his daily Starbucks morning meet-ups with his group of friends alongside his beloved rescue dog, Daffy. Most recently, Jack joyfully welcomed his first grandchild, Clark Jeffrey Horton, in January 2025.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Jackson and Nancy Horton, as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Mary Zahn. Jack is survived by his wife, Karen Horton, daughter Lesley (Adam) Horton Bottiglier, son Scott (Emily) Horton, grandson Clark Horton, sisters Connie (David) Moynihan, Melissa (Chuck) Cory, brother-in-law William (Virginia) Zahn, as well as eight nieces and nephews.
Jack was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, Virginia on Monday, June 16 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jackson Horton
JT Hardy
June 9, 2025
I´ll miss Jack. He was a faithful business partner and friend. God´s blessings and peace upon the family. JT
Diane E. Bogle Gibson
June 3, 2025
Our condolences to the family. Although I did not meet
Mr. Horton, I was fortunate to spend some time with his kind son, Scott.
And to Mrs. Horton whom I feel as though I know...I am sad in the loss of your beloved husband and best friend for 50 years...
With love and care,
Diane Gibson, Allegra's Mom
HOWARD B LONGIN
June 1, 2025
Sue and I are very saddened by the unfortunate and untimely passing of Jack. I had the honor of being his fraternity brother, standing up in Jack and Karen's wedding and friend. He was a good person who will be missed.
Our deepest and most sincere condolences.
Sue and Howie Longin
Mary Cadden
May 31, 2025
My condolences to Jack's family.
Jack Horton was an ourstanding human being. He was not only intelligent, a great salesman, manager, and Director of Sales, he was also respectful, kind, and compassionate with a great sense of humor. Learning about his illness and death brings sorrow for his suffering and death as well as good memories of him at IBM--OPD and NFM. It was a prividlege to work with Jack.
Bill Errico
May 31, 2025
Jack was always a gentleman. Enjoyed the personal and time I spent with him at IBM.
Margaret Sheridan
May 31, 2025
I'm sorry to hear of this sad news. I had the honor of working for Jack when he was the Director of Market Operations in NFM. He always treated everyone regardless of position the same and always smiling. I called him the "cloud man" as he had visions of where he wanted his organization to achieve.
My condolences to Jack's family.
Jim Henry
May 30, 2025
Jack was a super friend. We met at IBM in 1985 as members of National Federal Marketing. Along with Cary Smith, we began annual fall golf trips hosted by Cary in the Litchfield/Myrtle Beach area. These trips continued for 25 years! Jack was a super intelligent and personable executive. He was a visionary and possessed a keen sense of humor. Departing this earth way too soon, he leaves behind many wonderful memories. I send my sincere condolences to his family.
Cary Smith
May 30, 2025
Jack was an extraordinary person and a great friend. We met in 1983 at work in Bethesda and formed a lifelong friendship. In three years of working together, over 100 rounds of golf and frequent contact, a trip to Canada to fish and sustained contact throughout, he beca.e a close personal friend. I will miss him greatly; his wit, his wisdom and his ever-faithful friendship!
He was gifted in too many ways to articulate and I will never cease to think of him. I know his family feels a great sense of loss and wish for them angelic support now and in the future.
To each of you I say God Bless and please know that your loss is felt by so many others.
Saul Klein
May 30, 2025
I was first introduced to Jack in 1995 when we were both working on a major national project. Over the years and decades, Jack was somehow always there, and reached out when my career made a turn, with advice, counsel, and inspiration. He was a mentor to me and I learned something every time I spoke with him. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Jack was a very special human being.
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