Dr. J. Pierce Horton Jr.

Dr. J. Pierce Horton, Jr., the only son of Dr. James Pierce Horton, Sr. and Ida Grace Cauthen Horton, was born on August 30, 1926 in Lancaster, SC, and the younger of two children. He passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Morningside of Lancaster at the age of 92.Pierce attended local schools then enrolled in The Citadel for one year until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. When the war ended, Pierce returned to The Citadel, and graduated in May of 1949. He attended The Medical College of Charleston and began dating nursing student, Peggy Jean Foster. He proposed to Peggy on Valentine’s Day at her parent’s home in Charleston, and married her the day after his graduation.Dr. Horton opened his first medical office in Lancaster in 1954, was appointed to the Medical Staff of the Marion Sims Memorial, and was the Lancaster County Physician for several years. He was a member of The Lancaster County Medical Society, South Carolina Medical Society and the American Medical Association. In 1969, Dr. Horton and Dr. Duke were published in the Southern Medical Journal.At Springs Memorial Hospital, Dr. Horton was on the Board of Directors and Chief of Staff several times. As Chairman of Ad Hoc Committee, he worked to preserve the hospital in early eighties and lobbied to preserve the Practical Nursing Program. He was a Member of the Lancaster Medical Endowment and The American Academy of Family Physicians. He became Medical Director of Grace White Nursing Home, Marion Sims Nursing Home and The Lancaster Recovery Center. He was a Member of The American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies, Inc.Dr. Horton was on the Board of Directors at Saluda Psychological Services Center and Area Director of the Southern Piedmont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. He donated medical services to JAARS, H.O.P.E. and The Lancaster County Rape Crisis Center. Dr. Horton was Medical Consultant to Kanawha, KMG, and Humana Insurance Companies for 35 years. The South Carolina Medical Association’s Board of Trustees voted to award Dr. Horton with Honorary Membership Status in the South Carolina Medical Association.A mere block from Dr. Horton’s childhood home was First United Methodist Church where he was a Lay Leader, Chairman of committees including The Administrative Board, Pastor-Parish Relations, and Campaign Committee. He was in Leadership of the Stewardship Committee, member of the Building Committee, member of the Methodist Mission trip to Russia, Sunday School Teacher, and member of the Chancel Choir. In 1996, a Special Mission Recognition was awarded to Dr. Horton by the United Methodist Women, which, at the time was the first and only time this award had been given to a Man. Accompanying the award was a beautiful gold cross that he always wore on his lapel to church.Dr. Horton followed in his Mother’s footsteps by actively participating in his community. He was Lancaster County’s “Young Man of The Year” and Presented with the Distinguished Service Award of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and a Member of Lancaster Jaycees. He was a Member, President and Board Member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and The Lancaster Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr. Horton was on the Board of Directors at The Listening Center and The Lancaster County Council of The Arts. He received the State of South Carolina Certificate of Recognition for his contributions to the establishment of Lancaster County Partners for Youth as a Founding Member of the Lancaster Medical Endowment. For the Charlotte Region, Dr. Horton was on the Executive Committee of the Business Committee for Transportation and Land Use Future and Solutions.Following in his Father’s footsteps, Dr. Horton was Owner and President of J. F. Mackey Drug Co., then he became Owner and President of Lancaster Drug Company. Dr. Horton was elected Director of First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lancaster and of Security Federal Savings and Loan Association.As an avid golfer for many years, Dr. Horton cherished his association with his golfing buddies. Twice he won the State Senior Golf Championship in his age group. He was a private pilot and flew his own plane. He became a bird enthusiast and spoke to local and neighboring communities about hummingbirds for forty years.Pierce and Peggy Horton remained happily married for 43 years until her death in April of 1996. Then Dr. Horton married Irma Hoffman Canter in May of 1997. They enjoyed 13 years together before her death.Dr. Horton was a phenomenal father who relished the opportunity to reminisce and relax with his extended family. He was a naturally caring person who extended a grand smile, a gracious word and a generous spirit to others. Dr. Horton was a Christian man who gave of himself daily in service to others.He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Betty Horton McIlwain. Dr. Pierce Horton is survived by a son, Robert Pierce Horton of Columbia; two daughters, Jean Foster Horton Goldsmith and her husband, Dr. Joseph Patrick Goldsmith of Lancaster and Amy Cauthen Horton Van Doorn and her husband, Thomas William Carraway Van Doorn, Sr. of Gainesville, GA; a step daughter, Rebecca Canter Cauthen and her husband Billy Cauthen of Lancaster; five grandchildren, Charlotte Brook Horton Goldsmith Gray of Charleston, SC, Catherine Elizabeth Van Doorn and her husband, Patrick Lowell Schmeckpeper of Lexington, KY, Thomas William Carraway Van Doorn, Jr. of Kansas City, MO, Elizabeth Grace Horton and Jonathan Pierce Horton both of Columbia, SC; two step grandchildren, Richard Scott Plyler and his wife Michaele Freeman Plyler of Murrells Inlet, SC and Rebecca Lindsay Plyler of Lancaster; and five step great-grandchildren.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, SC on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 3pm. There will be a Visitation following in the Fellowship Hall of the Church.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721.Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Dr. Horton.Read Obituary