The family will receive friends Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. in the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn.
Police pulled Horton’s body from the pond about 10 a.m. Friday after being called to the home when Horton failed to show up for work at his veterinary practice, which is less than a half-mile from his home.
A preliminary autopsy has ruled Horton’s death an accidental drowning, Fairborn police said. His body was found by firefighters near the middle of the eight foot-deep pond. Police continue to investigate.
Horton, a retired Air Force colonel, was the owner and president of Fairborn Animal Hospital since 1981.
He started Fairbornites Restoring Our Greene Spaces (F.R.O.G.S.) and hosted “Our Fairborn Heritage” and “Fairborn Plain and Simple” on local television.
He also volunteered with Fairborn Parks and Recreation, Fairborn Heritage Days, Fairborn Police Advisory Board, and the Fairborn Education Foundation.
Terry Miller, a park board member who was visiting a relative nearby when police were called to the home, knew Horton and said he was an avid conservationist who worked to improve the city’s parks. “He’s really done a lot” for the community, Miller said.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Marcia; a son, Benjamin (Amanda) Brooks of Chicago; his father, Marvin of Springfield; sister-in-law, Linda (Eldon) Davidson of Vandalia; brothers-in-law, Kent (Ute) Waymire of Pittsburgh, Pa., Craig Waymire of Melbourne, Fla., and Brian (Susan) Waymire of Vandalia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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