Michael Horton

The true measure of a man is found in the lessons they learn in life, and in the man they strive to become. Michael Horton was a husband, son, a brother, a father and friend to so many. Most of all, he was a big man, with an even bigger heart, who tried to learn and grow from his mistakes.

Michael's story began on a cold winter day in 1977, in the little town of Sturgis, Michigan. Those were such tumultuous times in this country, as President Jimmy Carter succeeded President Gerald R. Ford, the energy crisis continued, Elvis Presley died and Star Wars was born into our national consciousness. On January 24, 1977, a cold, snowy Monday, Robert and Judy (Gingerich) Horton found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Michael.

Little Mike was joined in the family by two older brothers, Ron and Rob, and an older sister, Jennifer. His father worked very hard as a fiberglass production supervisor for Lasco Industries in nearby Three Rivers, while his mother was a homemaker and a nurse.

As a youngster, Mike was quite a little devil, and always seemed to find his share of mischief, which would be a familiar theme throughout his life. The problem worsened after his mother sadly died of a brain aneurysm in 1981, when he was just 4 years old. The family was living in Three Rivers at the time where Michael began school.

Mike had many interests as a young boy, being very smart and inquisitive, even too much of both for his own good! He enjoyed HO-scale model trains, playing the saxophone, and of course, playing video games, as part of the first generation of videogame enthusiasts. He also enjoyed the outdoors, and formed a lifelong love of fishing as a boy.

Michael attended Three Rivers High School, where he joined the wrestling team, and played offensive guard for the football team, too.

Michael left school after the 11th grade, when the family moved to Kalamazoo in 1994. He later regretted his decision to leave school, though, and atoned for it three years later, when he went back to earn his GED. After leaving school Michael became a father for the first time. His son Joey was born in 1999 and becoming a father made him so proud.

Michael found work in Goshen, Indiana, at MedTec, Inc., helping build auto bodies for ambulances. While working there Michael met a pretty young woman named Samantha Wimmer, and the two hit it off. They began dating, and it wasn't long before they found themselves at the Centreville courthouse to be married.

The couple settled in Kalamazoo near his father. Like so many young couples, they had a rollercoaster marriage, full of peaks and valleys, and celebrated the birth of their son Houston together in 2002. The young couple tried to make their marriage work, though they separated in 2006. It was very hard for Michael to accept, as he truly loved Samantha, and only wanted the best for his wife and children.

Michael realized he had made mistakes in his life, which often caused his family heartache and hardship, yet he strived to become a better person, and to put his life on track. He became serious about his future, and enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in the Industrial Machine Technology program. He knew he needed an education if he wanted to succeed, and took his studies seriously, earning a B average.

Michael had many interests and hobbies, too, especially the extensive music collection he owned, with Led Zepplin, Leonard Skynard, R&R, blues and pop music tapes and CDs lining his shelves in neatly-stacked rows. Michael was a neat freak, in fact, and kept an immaculate home. He was also a tremendous cook, especially when it came to barbecuing. He remained very close to his father his whole life, who was one of his best friends and a positive influence on him.

Things were looking up for Michael. He was excited about going to school, enjoyed living in Kalamazoo, in the city where he had made so many friends. Michael made friends easily wherever he went though. He was a big man, 325 pounds, though he had an even bigger heart and love for life.

Sadly, Michael died unexpectedly at his home on February 19, 2007, at the age of 30.

Michael was a big man, with a big heart, and even bigger goals for the man he wanted to become. He knew he had made mistakes in his life, yet he was determined to learn and grow from them. Michael was a husband,son, a brother, father and friend, and a big man, who worked to become a better man. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy Horton in 1981. He is survived by his wife, Samantha; two sons: Joey and Houston; three step children: Treyton, Autumn, and Charlie, his father, Robert Horton of Kalamazoo; maternal grandmother, Clara Gingerich of Goshen, IN; two brothers: Ronald Horton of Apollo Beach, FL, and Rob Horton of Goshen, IN; a sister, Jennifer Newhall of Byron Center; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held Friday 11:00 AM at Texas Corners Bible Church. Following the service, food and fellowship will be shared at the church hall. To read Mike's complete Life Story, share a memory, upload photos, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Texas Corners Bible Church, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com