Donald Lee Horton Jr., 68, of Hallettsville, was called home to be with the Lord December 2, 2020.  He was born on November 4, 1952, to Donald Horton Sr & Charlene Buschermihle, in Houston.  He married Gloria Gaitan on November 24, 1973, in Hallettsville.  He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville.

Donny was a great dad and an even better husband to his wife that he adored for 47 years of marriage.  He always told Bunnye and his kids that he thanked God every night for her during his prayers.  He worked 31 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and retired as a first line supervisor over Special Services with perfect attendance.  Following retirement he worked at Lavaca Medical Center for 10 years as the Maintenance Supervisor.  He finished his career at our local NAPA auto parts store.  On a side note, his favorite "job" was working in his shop on any and everything from electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and welding.  What he enjoyed most was rebuilding a motor and helping anyone with any automotive needs.  Needless to say he was a jack of all trades.  We referred to him as the "World's Greatest Handyman", "Top Hand", and if he couldn't fix it, it wasn't broke.

On a regular day you would find Popper at the shop, leaning on the bed of his truck with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.  Whether he was alone or with company, that was his favorite place to be.  He also could be found sitting on his hands in the living room watching what he called "the smart people" aka The Andy Griffith Show or an old western.  He also loved his candy and chips.

Popper was always giving advice, it was always blunt but always constructive and he was usually right.  His colorful vocabulary, wisdom and his willingness to help others will be greatly missed by all.

Donald is survived by:  wife Gloria; 2 sons, Daniel "Danny" Horton & wife Tammy, and Rodney Horton & wife Kellee; daughter Stacy Dollagaray; 3 brothers, Charles Horton, Kenneth Horton and James Horton; 2 sisters, Barbara Sue Curb and Glynda Perez; and 8 grandchildren, Courtney, Danyel, Emily, Tristin, Carson, Nadia, Giovanni and Abigail.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Service (All attendees must wear masks): 9 am, Saturday, December 5, 2020, at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville, TX (Please use the Assessable Entrance at the Family Center) . Visitation: 5 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Roger McDonald, Mike Jansky, Mike Hajek, Vince Gaitan, Gary Smith, Billy Gaitan, Tristin Horton and Carson Evans. Officiant: Pastor Jared Stillions. Memorials: American Cancer Association, St. Peter Lutheran Church or Donor's Choice. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.