Readis Governor Horn, Jr. Obituary (1932

Governor "Readis" Horn, Jr. passed peacefully from this life surrounded by family and stepped into heaven on July 17, 2018 at the age of 86. On January 27, 1932, Governor Readis Horn, Jr. was born in Belmont, Louisiana to Clara Skinner Horn and Governor Readis Horn, Sr. He spent his early years fox hunting with his father and tussling with his younger sister Olive and his baby brother Roland. During high school, he developed into a formidable opponent on the basketball court leading his team to the State Championship in May 1951 capturing the MVP and All-district forwards honors. The six-foot, three-inch forward joined the prestigious "400 Club" scoring baskets in droves and went on to score 606 points in a single season, compiling the highest season total in Calcasieu Parish history. Readis was offered a basketball scholarship to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana but discovered that college was not for him. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years in London, England during the Korean Conflict. It was during this time that he developed a disdain for cold, dreary days and learned to despise the rain. He married Patsy Bobbitt on November 23, 1957. After passing up an opportunity to play semi-professional baseball, he began hitchhiking from DeQuincy, Louisiana to Lake Charles, Louisiana to earn a diploma in welding after which he went to work for Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation in West Lake, LA. He worked from 1959 until he retired in 1997 as a boilermaker/welder. He was an avid squirrel hunter. Hambone, as he was called, and Festus, one of the best squirrel dogs in South Louisiana, walked many a mile through the woods of Beckwith and Bearhead creeks, with his faithful friend Buddy Odegar, and brought home a lot of game. He taught his boys how to hunt, navigate the woods and instilled in them a love of the woods and the sport. He also coached his children in baseball. He coached the West Pelican All-Star team to victory in 1976. Some of his players were Tracey "Hoss" Brown, Bill Brown, Scotty Groves, Ernie Horn, and Danny Lentz. Even at a young age, he sought after God praying for a good wife, children, and a nice home but it wasn't until 1984 on Easter Sunday that he gave his heart and life to God. He attended the First United Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy for many years before moving to Mena, AR in 1999. Not being one to sit idle, Readis went to work for the First Baptist Church of Mena and developed a host of new friends including Brother David McCord, Pam Pena, Ruth Laws, and many others. When he wasn't working at the church, you could find him working in his garden and his yard. He planted over 70 knockout roses at his home. He reluctantly retired from the First Baptist Church after 15 years of service this past February. He was a member of the Abundant Life UPC in Mena, AR where he attended faithfully. He often said he had two pastors in his life time, Reverend T.D. Cardwell and Reverend Jack Smith. He loved preaching, worshiping God, the Truth, and praying at the altar. He was a giant of a man with hands the size of anvils and a heart that was bigger still. It was said of him, "He was one of the good guys and his shoes will never be filled." Readis leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 60 years Patsy Horn, four children, John Burnitt and wife Darlene of Magnolia, Texas, Jolene Broxson and husband Terry of DeQuincy, Louisiana, Ernie Horn and wife Tina of Chenier Perdue, Louisiana, and Dustin Horn and wife Elizabeth of Mena, Arkansas. 'Paw Paw' Readis will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren Michael Broxson (deceased), Alicia Guidry and husband David of DeQuincy, Louisiana, Cory Broxson and wife Denise of DeQuincy, Louisiana, Alan Burnitt and wife Lori of Flowood, Mississippi, Jonathan Burnitt and fiance Thea O'Rouke of Portland, Oregon, Ethan Burnitt of Spring, Texas, Chase Horn and wife Katelyn of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Katelyn Thomas and husband Mitch of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dustin D. Horn, II of Little Rock, Arkansas and Sophie Horn of Mena, Arkansas. He will also be missed by his great-grandchildren, Matthew Broxson, Emily Broxson, Sarah Guidry, Nick Guidry, Briana Broxson, Noah Broxson, Hudson Burnitt, Holton Burnitt, Madison O'Rouke, Tosh O'Rouke, and soon to be born Henley Grace Thomas. Readis is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation of family and friends will be received from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., Thursday, July 19 at the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church in Mena, Arkansas. Readis' life celebration will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 20, at the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church with Reverend Jack Smith and Reverend T.D. Cardwell officiating. Interment will be held at Belmont Cemetery in Belmont Louisiana at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 21. Serving as pallbearers during the memorial service are Chase Horn, Ethan Burnitt, Cory Broxson, John Burnitt, Ernie Horn, and Dustin Horn. Serving as pallbearers at the gravesite service are Alan Burnitt, Ethan Burnitt, Chase Horn, Terry Broxson, Ernie Horn, and Dustin Horn. Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com