John Emory Horner

John Emory “Johnny” Horner passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on March 28, 1929, in Chincoteague, Virginia. He was the son of the late Frank Leslie Horner and the late Mildred Fish Horner.

Johnny started fishing at age three. His grandfather, who he called, “Pop Fish,” tied a rope to Johnny for safety as he had no lifejacket. In addition to his passion for fishing, he played basketball and baseball at Chincoteague High School. After graduation he worked at DuPont in Seaford, Delaware.

Johnny later enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard, from which he retired as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate after serving, “twenty years and twenty days.” His Coast Guard assignments included being the Keeper of Boston Lighthouse, on Brewster Island, Boston, Massachusetts; being in charge of the Assateague, Virginia Coast Guard Station; and being in charge of Milford Haven Coast Guard Station in Cricket Hill, Virginia until his retirement in 1972.

After moving to Mathews County, Virginia, Johnny was able to pursue his passion for commercial fishing, which included gill netting and haul seining. His boats included a wooden skiff, a thirty-two-foot round stern workboat, the “Carorita,” a Chincoteague scow, and then a Privateer, the “Fishaholic.”

In addition to fishing, Johnny also enjoyed hand tonging oysters, crab potting, peeler potting, and shedding soft crabs. His other occupations after retirement included Deputy Sheriff of Mathews County for four years, and delivering oil for Tidewater Oil Company for seventeen years.

Johnny was formerly a member of the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department. He was an active member of the Mathews Lions Club, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, and the American Legion.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Raymond Horner and sister-in-law Nancy Horner, his son, Paul Wayne Horner, his nephews Raymond Kerry Horner, Jr. and Michael James Horner, and a stepson-in-law, Steve Garcia.

Johnny is survived by his beloved wife of over forty years, Madeline Davis Horner, his sister, Wanda Horner Kubitz and her husband Ray, his daughters, Leslie Jean Horner, and Marcia Horner Howlett, and a son-in-law, Danny Howlett. He is also survived by two stepdaughters, Vickie Garcia and Brenda Allen.

In addition, Johnny is survived by a grandson, Daniel Howlett, a granddaughter, Rhonda Howlett Carroll, and her husband Clay Carroll. He is also survived by step grandchildren: Taylor Carroll, Noah Carroll, Sara Newsome, Elzie Sampson, Chris Sampson, Nicky Tuthill, and Ashley Dawson. Johnny is survived by a great granddaughter, eleven step great granddaughters, and five step great grandsons. He leaves behind several friends, many of which he enjoyed working with for charities.

Johnny was living example of servant leadership. He was humble, generous, kind, a friend to all, and a man of few words. Although he is sorely missed, he leaves behind a legacy of love and unselfish service. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that memorials can be made to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Active Adults, c/o Carla Adams, 57 Mill Lane Rd. Bohannon, VA 23021 or to the American Legion Post 83, P.O. Box 561, Mathews, Virginia 23109.

A service to celebrate Johnny’s life will be held on Saturday, August 9, at 11 am, at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 76 North River Rd., Bohannon, VA 23021. His nephew, Rev. Keith Horner and his grandson, Daniel Howlett, will be officiating. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews is assisting the family.