Obituary of John Kenneth Horne, Jr.

Chapel Hill - Mr. John Kenneth Horne, Jr., 72, died Saturday, February 16, 2019 at UNC Hospitals.

Mr. Horne was born and raised in Wayne County, NC, the son of the late Margaret Howell and John Kenneth Horne, Sr.  He was educated at Atlantic Christian College, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, NC State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  J. K. was a Methodist minister before joining the NC Division of Mental Health, serving as Regional Director for the Council of Developmental Disabilities for 3 years and then the South Central Region Director for 14 years.   He was the President of Alpha Omega Health, Inc., from 1989 until his retirement in 2010.  He loved family, and was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother and uncle.  J.K. practiced and taught others how to love unconditionally.  He was always an advocate for the less fortunate and gave freely without expecting anything in return.  He loved laughter.  J.K. always dreamed of being a cowboy or probably even just an extra on Bonanza!!!

Mr. Horne is survived by his fiancée, Rebecca Mann of Chapel Hill; daughter, Rebecca Leigh Horne Wiseman, and her husband, Mitch, of Clayton, NC; son, John Kenneth Horne, III, and his fiancée, Alana Rivero, of Raleigh, NC; step-daughter, Devona Cartier Boroff, and her husband, Joshua, of Boston, MA; grandchildren, Nolan and Fiona; sister, Edie Horne Poole, and her husband, Gary, of Chapel Hill, NC; brother, James D. Horne; nieces, Emma, Annie, Maggie, Missy, Catherine; and nephew, Jason.

In addition to his parents, J. K. was preceded in death by his sister, Sue Walton, brother-in-law, Vaughn Walton, and his niece, Jenny Walton.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Chapel of Walker’s Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Autism Society of North Carolina, 5121 Kingdom Way, Raleigh, NC 27607.www.autismsociety-nc.org.

The Horne family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.  Please express your online condolences using the tab below.