Kenneth Horton

Horton, Kenneth Kalamazoo, Michigan Kenneth "Ken" Horton passed away in his home on November 7, 2021, at the age of 82. He was born September 30, 1939, to Herbert and Ruth (Young) Horton. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, he decided to dedicate his life to service - serving his country and later, his community and family. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country faithfully from 1958-1964. After returning to Kalamazoo, he settled into family life. He married his first wife, Marsha, and they raised their son, Kenneth Horton Jr. In 1972, he began his career as a police officer. He worked for the Plainwell Police Department for 5 years and The Parchment Police Department for 15 years. After retiring from the police department, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a manager of the express department for the next 30 years. In 1988, he married his high school sweetheart, Janet (Vanderburg) Horton. Shortly after marrying, they purchased their forever home in Milwood. Ken, wanting to make the neighborhood safe for his wife and his new neighbors, founded the Milwood Neighborhood Watch in 1994. He went on to serve as their President for 25 years. In recent years, he has been credited for turning Milwood into one of the safest neighborhoods in Kalamazoo. In 2009 he received the Meritorious Citizenship Award and in 2019 he received the Citizens Award, both from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for his work in Milwood. In 2007 he was awarded the STAR Award from the city of Kalamazoo for his work in Milwood and the greater Kalamazoo area. Ken also never lost touch with his inner Marine; he was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League. He spent countless hours volunteering with the VA Hospital serving breakfast, organizing collections for Toys for Tots, and cleaning adopted highways. In 2010 he was awarded Marine of the Year for all his efforts. He also served as a volunteer Security Guard for the Air Zoo for 14 years, acted as Treasurer for Lending Hands, and was a board member for Triad's Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Board. Ken was a man of God and was active with St Barnabas Episcopal Church and later St Patrick's Anglican Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and playing with his dog, Bentley and cat, Bonnie. Through all these experiences, Ken collected stories that he loved nothing more than to share with his family. Above all else, Ken was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved to laugh and loved to make his family laugh. He will live on in the memories of all those whose lives he touched – of which, there are many. He was preceded in death by his dear wife Janet (Vanderburg) Horton. He is survived by his children Kenneth (Annette) Horton Jr and Terri Croft; his grandchildren Tyler (Erin), Kelsey, Kaitlyn, Riley, Amanda, and Kobey; and great-grandchild Lyla. Friends may visit with his family on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where a funeral service with military honors will be held at 12:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Randall R. Warren officiating. Interment will precede the funeral service at 9:30 AM Saturday at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, South. Donations in memory of Ken may be made to Animal Rescue Project, Talons Out Honor Flight, or Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Please visit Ken's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com