Duane 'Tump' Horton

Duane R. Tump Horton, to his older friends, a longtime Stillwater resident, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at his home in Stillwater surrounded by his family at the age of 84.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday July 18, 2014 at the Crosspointe Church. Rev. Norman Richmond will officiate. Interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery, Stillwater, OK. Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Duane was born on October 21, 1929 in Sumner, Ok. to Roy S. and Grace (Weathers) Horton. He grew up in Stillwater, graduating from Stillwater High School. Duane joined the U.S. Navy where he was a boiler tender 3rd class on the Valley Forge U.S.S., serving his country during the Korean War. After returning home from the service, he went to work for the Remington Rand Corporation and Moore Business Forms before opening his own business AAA Office Supply here in Stillwater. After selling his office supply business he went to work for Terri Grove at
B and C Office supply. Duane married the love of his life Opal Maxine Stafford on June 20, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Stillwater and to this union David was born. Duane was a friend to everyone and was very active in the community. He was particularly a very active member of the Stillwater Noon Lions Club at which he received several awards for his service including the highest honor a member of lions club can achieve the Melvin Jones Award as well as receiving the Jack Horner award for member recruitment on numerous occasions. The lion related project Duane was most proud of was the Payne County Road sign project of which he and fellow lion Don Pricket did the lions share of fundraising to buy and put up street signs at every rural road and street intersection in Payne County. Which in turn allowed all of Payne County to receive 911 emergency services. In 1997 he received Volunteer of the Year for all of Payne County for his service to the community. So when you are driving down a country road in Payne county and you come to an intersection and look up to the sign posts to find out where you are, think of Duane.
Duane is survived by his wife Opal Maxine Horton and son David Len Horton as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters Kenneth C. Horton, Laveta Horton, Glenn P. Horton, Norine Horton, and Billy G. Horton.
Memorial contributions can be made to Judith Karmen Hospice, 915 S. Main, Stillwater, Ok 74074.