Donald Ray "Don" Horton

Donald “Don” Ray Horton, Sr., 83, of Ferriday, LA passed away peacefully at his home on March 13, 2019. Don was born February 25, 1936 in Simsboro, LA to Eugene Wise Horton, Sr. and Minnie Cheetwood Horton. A private family service will be held at a later date. Don was a lifelong resident of Ferriday, LA. He was in the Class of 1955 at Ferriday High School and was a part of the Ferriday “Bull Dogs” who went on to win four consecutive High School football championships in the 1950’s. Don was team quarter back for several years. After high school he was drafted by the US Army where he served for three years as a helicopter mechanic. After his discharge from the Army he went on to marry his High School Sweetheart, Gail Dean, on July 16, 1959. Shortly after they married the draft was re-enstated and he was called back to the Army and stationed in Washington State. They moved back to Ferriday where he went to work for his father-in-law Herschel Dean. Later Don and Donnie Daye purchased the business from Mr. Dean and it became D&D Drilling Company, with his sons continuing the operations today. He and Gail were members of Ferriday First Baptist Church He was a founding member of Panola Woods Country Club in 1967 and a founding member of Huntington High School. He is described as a man of few words, who spoke softly and carried a big stick. He was a loving family man. He enjoyed cooking every Sunday for family and friends as well as large crowds. He took great pleasure in growing vegetables. For many years Don loved hunting trips with his lifelong friends and especially looked forward to rabbit hunting. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Hubert Horton and E.W. Horton, Jr; and two sisters, Mary Lou Bennett and Sue H. Langston. He is survived by his wife, Gail Dean Horton; four children and their families, son, Donald Ray “Dee” Horton, Jr. of Natchez, MS and his two daughters, Rylie and Taylor Horton; daughter, Jill Horton Burks and husband Shawn of Baton Rouge, LA and their children, Caroline Burks, Spencer Burks and wife Logan and Don’s only great-grandchild, Georgia Louise Burks and; son, Herschel Jesse Horton and wife Kendell of Ferriday, LA and their two sons, Cameron Horton and Colby Horton; and daughter, Kim Horton Poole and husband Jeff of McKinney, TX and their three sons, Payton Poole, Justin Poole and Jess Poole. The family request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Saint Jude Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022. The family would like to give a special thanks to Sandra Williams and Twana Sewell for their help and care of Mr. Horton.

Donald Ray "Don" Horton

February 25, 1936 - March 14, 2019