Myron Walter Horne, 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on April 13, 2020, after bravely enduring the effects of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s for the past several years. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Anne Brasher Horne, who has been lovingly caring for him for many years.
Myron was the oldest of three children, born on April 24, 1936 to Marie Lillian Palmer and Walter Martin Horne in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is preceded in death by both his parents and his identical twin brother, Byron M. Horne, and Byron’s wife, Linda Neville Horne.
Myron married Patricia Anne Brasher in the Salt Lake Temple on June 9, 1961. They were blessed with eight children and could say with the psalmist, “children are an heritage of the Lord . . . happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them” (Psalms 127). He is survived by his children, Carol Horne (Jerry) Gerhardt, Snohomish, Washington; DeAnn Horne (Jeff) Jones, Stafford, Virginia; Sherrie Horne Kendall, Bothell, Washington; Roger M. Horne, Lynnwood, Washington; Darlene Horne (Chad) Silotti, West Jordan, Utah; John W. Horne (Amber Little), Yamhill, Oregon; Marie E. Horne, Centerville, Utah; Richard J. Horne (Rachel Moss), Saratoga Springs, Utah. He is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, his sister, Marilla Horne (Chall) McRoberts, and many other extended family members.
Myron’s childhood was spent in Salt Lake City, Utah and also in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona. He graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1954 and then served a Swiss-Austrian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1956 – 1959). In 1961 he received his degree in Business Management from the University of Utah, and started working as an office manager for his father-in-law, J. Frank Brasher (owner of the Salt Lake Auto Auction) for 6 years. Following that, and in pursuit of a career where he could fulfill his love of teaching the gospel, he was employed by the Church Educational System (CES) and began teaching seminary full-time at Bountiful High School (1967 – 1971). In 1972 he earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Brigham Young University, and took a job teaching Institute classes at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, where he eventually became the Director (after earning his doctorate degree in Education Administration from BYU) and eventually retired from CES employment in 1996.
Myron was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enjoyed his service in various callings over the years, including his call as a Bishop, a High Councilor, a Mission President’s Counselor (4 times), and serving with his wife as President of the Colorado Denver North Mission (1996 – 1999). His retired years were filled with time spent as an ordinance worker in both the Seattle and Salt Lake Temples, ward assignments, and serving 3 additional full-time missions with his wife (Church Headquarters’ Missionary Coordinators—twice, and Washington DC temple workers). He often remarked that his favorite activity was teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing his knowledge of the scriptures that he loved. His love of missionary work was also notable, and he was blessed to help bring many souls unto Christ during the course of his lifetime.
Myron was a people person. He loved talking with and socializing with people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. His native, cheery temperament endeared him to others and he was always up for games of all kinds, whether it was basketball, volleyball, ping pong, horseshoes or cornhole. His love of card games (Rook, Crook, Canasta, Boot and Bonnet, etc) was also well-known. Myron also had a love of gardening, and took great care of his yard and vegetable gardens. He enjoyed sharing the produce he grew with others.
He found his greatest joys in life came from serving his family and serving the Lord. As a young man serving in the Swiss-Austrian mission in 1958 he wrote these words: “I always hope and pray I will have a burning desire to serve the Lord with my heart, mind, might, and strength and to work in the cause of righteousness. I would give everything I have.” And he did. Give ‘em heaven!
There will be a Celebration of Life memorial service for Myron held this summer. Details to follow.
Bishop Horne holds a special place in my heart. He taught me the gospel while I attended the University of Washington and he was instrumental in my conversion and baptism in 1979. He was a great example and support to me as I grew as a new member of the church. I still read, on occasion, a letter he wrote to encourage me to keep strong and embrace the gospel. He was a great teacher with a big heart.
