Garry Glenn Horton

Garry Glenn Horton was born in Gastonia, North Carolina on February 11, 1949 to
James Edward Horton and Geral Dean King. He graduated from Mount Holly High
School in 1967 where he played Football and Basketball.
He joined the Air Force in April 1968 and served until March 1972. He rose to the
rank of Sargeant and worked as an Aircraft Ground Support Technician. While in
the military, he was stationed in the Republic of Korea from 1969 to 1971 and in
Panama City, Florida.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Garry spent time in the Florida
Keys and eventually became a Padi Open Water Dive Instructor. He loved boating
and took a trip down the Intercoastal Waterway from Little River, South Carolina to
Marathon, Florida. Garry eventually settled down into a career in HVAC. He began
working at Hill York Corporation in Florida in 1979 rising to Vice President during his
time with the company. He lived in Fort Lauderdale and Naples. Garry was proud
to be a member of the Apprenticeship Education Committee for the Local 125 for 12
years.
Garry retired from the HVAC industry and began a new career in 2003 at the KOA
campground in Boone, North Carolina. He was a jack of all trades, and he loved
talking to the campers and helping the seasonals have the best experience in the
mountains. He also managed the Harmon Parking Lot near Appalachian University
and took joy in spending time with the students.
Garry loved his country and took immense pride in being an Air Force Veteran.
Almost all his jackets and hats had a patch or title describing his service. He also
loved his Golden Retrievers, playing guitar and UNC basketball.
Garry is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Stephen Michael Horton.
He is survived by his brother, Larry Eugene Horton of Grandy, NC, his niece, Marnie
Gallagher and family of Charlotte, NC and his nephew, Jason Horton and family of
Durham, NC, along with his KOA friends.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Garry in summer 2025. Notes of
encouragement and condolences can be made to his family and friends on the KOA
Campground of Boone Facebook page. Garry’s arrangements are being handled by
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home of Boone, NC.

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