Donald Horton

Colonie- Donald Chester Horton Jr, 82 , died Thursday, February 26,2015 at home surrounded by family after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Barbara (Voorhees) Horton, his daughters Wendy Mitchell, Deborah Legge, Patti (David) Kellerman, Judy (Michael) Ooms; his brother David Horton; twelve grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The son of Dorothea and Donald Horton he grew up in North Syracuse, NY. He attended the State University of NY at Oswego. In 1953 he married Barbara whom he had met in in grade school. Two weeks after they were married he left for a two year tour in the Army where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal.

After returning home, Mr. Horton eventually became a lineman for New York Telephone. In 1962 a promotion to management brought him and his family to Albany, NY where he continued to work his way up until he retired in 1985. Not quite ready to stay retired, he went to work for NYS as a department head for OGS until 1986.

Mr. Horton was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing and his garden. He also loved his toys; his snowmobiles, sailboats and his dune buggy. But his biggest passion was taking care of his family. A loving husband, a father to look up to and Papa to his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pine Grove United Method Church, 1580 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205.

Calling hours will be held Monday, March 2nd 2015 from 4:00pm- 8:00pm at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. A service will be held Tuesday March 3rd at Pine Grove United Methodist Church starting at 10:00am. Interment will follow the service at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.