James Royce “Big Daddy” Horton

James Royce “Big Daddy” Horton, 71, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.

Royce was born April 6, 1950 in Ashburn, Georgia to the late Ted R. Horton and Vivian Pitts Horton. After high school he served his country by enlisting in the Navy. Royce worked as a lineman at Coastal Electric for many years and as a high voltage electrician at Ft. Stewart. He also served part time as an EMT and a reserve officer for the Hinesville Police Department and the Liberty County Sheriffs Department.

Royce was a volunteer coach at the Liberty County Recreation Department and was an instructor for hunter safety courses. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Royce could often be found in his yard working on his tractor. He was given the title “Big Daddy” by his granddaughter, Jordye, and he enjoyed being called that name by all of his grandchildren as well as others. Royce was preceded in death by his parents, loving mother in law, Marion W. King, brother, Ronald Horton, aunt and uncle, Euna and James Horton and grandson, Hogan Holton.

Royce is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Belinda Horton of Flemington; daughter Karen Larsen (Larry) of Peabody, Kansas; daughter, Misty Robinette (Richard) of Walthourville; son, Jake Horton (Lindsay) of Fleming; son, Jared Horton (Dee) of Flemington; ten grandchildren, Lucas, Kiefer, Brianna, Jordye, Kristen, Chris, Avery, Maggie, Bentley and Lincon; five great-grandchildren, Logyn, Rhett, Carsyn, Holden and Kamden; brother, Kirk King and many other extended family members.

Visitation services will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home in Flemington.

Pallbearers: Chris Robinette, Avery Robinette, Wayne Mobley, Cody Folker, David Varnedoe and Paul Martin.

Honorary pallbearers: Members of New Ground Hunting Club, Liberty Hunting Club, Reuben King, John Martin, Ricky Gilliard, Kirk King, Billy Kitchings and Clay Godley.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 11:00 am at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church with Bro. Harry Rogers and Bro. Ray Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

”Big Daddy” will be greatly missed by his family and many others that loved him.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in memory of Royce.

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home, Flemington, is handling arrangements.

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