James R. (J.R.) Horton

James R. (J.R.) Horton, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2017 at Coastal Carolina Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. J.R. was born in Gillisonville, SC to Earl and Flossie McKenzie Horton. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Norman, Everett, and Eugene. J.R. proudly served in the Korean War, stationed on the USS Helena. He traveled to Conway, SC with a Navy buddy, where he met the love of his life, Polly Ann and they were blessed to have 61 years together. J.R., with his bride, returned home to Ridgeland, where they established a home, family, and business. J.R. was the owner of Horton Tire for 40 plus years, a business founded in 1964 with his brother, Eugene, by his side. He was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Men’s Club, and a Ridgeland Volunteer Firefighter. J.R. was regarded as a man of faith, honesty, passion, and a generous spirit. There are countless stories of his generosity, not just with the people that he loved, but the strangers that found his small hometown business. He was a quiet man with a great sense of humor, shown by example, on how to live and love completely. From days of fishing and camping, trips with his family, car shows, his #59 race car, and his service to his country, he did things to the fullest with a kind heart. In addition to his wife, J.R. leaves behind a sister, Joyce (Junior) Jacobs; children, Anne (Billy) Hodge, Randy (Charlotte) Horton, Brenda (Joey) Smith, and Keith (Rita) Horton; grandchildren, Billy, Jenna, Jim, Eric, Adam, Julianna, Michael, Phillip, and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Will, Kenna, Rush, Jase, Hudson, Gunnar, and Lucas, with two additions, Wyatt and Thea, on their way; four sisters-in-law, Carol Watson, Betty Horton, Hilda Horton, and Jean Horton; and one brother-in-law, Samuel Drew (Kay). A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 16, 2017 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 7488 W. Main St., Ridgeland followed by burial in Ridgeland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the hour of the service at the church.