Benjamin K. Horton

Horton, Ben K. Beloved husband dad and grandfather, Ben K. Horton passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30, 2014. Ben was born on December 16, 1928 to Benjamin Kennedy who died in WWII and Lois Stearns Kennedy who later married Leo Horton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Thorne Horton who he was devoted to for 55 years. He is survived by his wife, Kay Parmon Horton, his love, a true sports partner and an adventurous traveling companion; his two sons, Ben T. Horton and Richard M. Horton; step-son, William Gifford IV; his daughter Rebecca F. Cheney; six grandchildren, Andrew Horton, Jennifer Headle, Miles Horton, Savannah Horton, Allene Cheney and Mathew Cheney all whom he loved deeply. Ben studied at UNM college of Business Administration and then entered UNM School of Law, graduating in 1952. At UNM, he joined the UNM Band and Sigma Chi Fraternity where he was appointed a Scholarship Chairman. During the Korean War, he joined the AFROTC Unit at UNM. Upon graduation, he was a lieutenant in the Staff Judge Advocate Corps of the USAF. He was assigned duty at the Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, NM where he was Staff Judge Advocate and assistant Commanding Officer. After fulfilling his service commitment, he returned to Albuquerque and opened his law offices in 1956 practicing General and Workman’s Comp for thirty-one years in addition he built apartment complexes throughout the South and Southwestern part of the United States. In 1983, he built and developed subdivisions featuring adobe solar homes in the northwest valley. He also built the beautiful Oceano Palace Beach Front Hotel with three Mexican business associates in Mazatlan, Mexico. The family and many good friends vacationed at the Oceano for over thirty-years. Ben was blessed with a creative and curious mind with an insatiable zest for life. He had a passion for flying accruing 5500 hours of flying time in his own private plane. He flew his family to Mazatlan from Albuquerque many times, the last in a large Cessna 240 Turbo Twin. Ben had a very healthy respect for the sky! He loved skiing (free ski tickets!) at age seventy and playing golf regularly at favorite golf courses to include his club, Albuquerque Country Club. He had an undying love for boating recreation. He owned numerous boats vacationing with family and friends from Elephant Butte to Balboa Bay, Newport Beach, California. Ben's greatest love was music. He played a cornet in the Shrine Band and the Schmaltmeisters German Band for almost 40-years. Ben played with this band at almost every nursing home in Albuquerque. As a 35-year member of the Lions Club, he served as Program Chairman. During this time, he arranged the one and only Pro-Football game between New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys in the Duke city. Ben was an avid supporter of the UNM's athletic program his entire life. In his early years, he was devoted to traveling as a fan with the UNM track & field team. His loyalty influenced a number of recruits to the track and field team of top athletes. In addition he was devoted to the basketball and football programs never missing a game. Each morning began with a cup of coffee and the sports page! His various clubs included: The Albuquerque Petroleum Club, The Lions Club, The Elks Club, The Holy Ghost Home Owners Association, The New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association and he was a proud Eagle Scout. Ben Horton will always be remembered as a leader with a vision to create opportunities for adventure and prosperity for all family and friends. He had an optimistic view that anything was possible. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 3:00 p.m., at FRENCH – University. Please visit the online guest book for Ben at www.FrenchFunerals.com. FRENCH – University 1111 University Blvd. NE 505-843-6333

Benjamin K. Horton

December 16, 1928 - May 30, 2014