Rodney Horton's Obituary
After a valiant, prolonged fight with epilepsy, Rodney Erik Horton passed away January 15, 2016. Rodney was born December 4, 1958, in Sacramento, California, bringing much joy to his parents Alvin and Marjorie Horton. Because his father was in the U.S. Air Force, Rodney grew up with his sisters all over the world, including six years in Japan and four years in the Philippine Islands. As a young boy, Rodney studied judo and enjoyed playing baseball and football. Rodney graduated from Widefield High School, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1977. It was during these years that Rodney experienced a significant growth spurt. He put that height to great advantage as a stand out member of the WHS basketball team. A chance encounter with a TV studio camera opened a new world for Rodney. For over 25 years, he excelled in television journalism, initially as a videographer, and later as an editor. His newsroom responsibilities took him to television stations across the country, his last position at KDFW- TV in Dallas. Photojournalism was a calling and Rodney was a masterful storyteller. But in the mid-90’s, Rodney answered a higher calling and entered the ministry. Scripture found in both Isaiah and Luke spoke directly to his heart: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” These words served as a cornerstone during Rodney’s years of ministry at Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, and of late, at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was ordained. Rodney served as a faithful Sunday school teacher at Mount Pisgah for many years, in addition to leading several addiction recovery ministries. Rodney was on the Board of Directors at the House of Isaiah, in Mabank, Texas; a faith based drug and alcohol recovery program for men. Affectionately known as The Ranch, HOI was very dear to Rodney’s heart. Many lives were positively impacted through Rodney’s volunteer leadership and initiative. After God, nothing was more important to Rodney than family. His children were the light of his life and he delighted in his first grandchild. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Grachel Horton; son, Jelani Horton; daughters Kayla Horton and, Anastassia Dodd; mother, Marjorie Horton, father, Alvin Horton; sisters, Sheila Cooper, Valerie Horton and Vanessa Lewis (John); grandson, Jaxon Horton, nephews, Christopher Cooper, Victor James, Avery Lewis, Jared Pearson, La Dano Sloan, Jr., Daliss Sloan, Nealy Sloan, and Brighton Sloan; nieces Amber James, Anyiah Sloan, and Nylah Sloan, and Victoria Sloan; brothers-in-law, Marvin Sloan, La Dano Sloan, Lamont Anderson (Sofia); sister in law, Cynthia Anderson. He is also survived by his former wife, Lynn Horton, the mother of Jelani and Kayla. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Walter and Jessie Horton, and Booker and Rubie Samuel. A host of other relatives and friends were blessed by knowing Rodney and will miss him. The family will receive friends Saturday, January 30 at 10:30 am in Restland Funeral Home and a celebration of life service will begin at 12:30 pm in Wildwood Chapel. Burial will be held in Restland Memorial Park.
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