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Longtime resident of Electric City, Herbert W. “Herb” Horton passed away Friday, Apr. 6, 2012, at his home, with family members present.

Herb was born October 13, 1924, in Adrian, Wash. He was the son of Elmer L. Horton and Florence (Humphrey) Horton.

On June 13, 1940, he married Clara Harper (Drewer) and had been married for 72 years at the time of his passing.

Herb enlisted in the Navy Feb 6, 1943, and served on board the carrier Manila Bay, fighting the Japanese in the South Pacific. At the time of his discharge in November of 1945, he was an Electrician’s Mate First Class.

Returning home from the war he began building their home and raising his family.

He eventually landed a job as a lineman with the Bureau of Reclamation at Grand Coulee working his way up to Electrical Foreman III and retiring October 31, 1979, after 36 years with them.

He enjoyed the outdoors and spent many weekends with the family creek fishing up in the 21-mile area above the San Poil back when you were allowed to do such things. A good time, and many fond memories were brought back, as well as a few frogs and snakes.

He also enjoyed horseback riding with daughter Cheryl and nieces Kitty and Debby. He was an avid gardener and the results of his labors was always “picture perfect.”

He was a life member of the VFW and served as fire chief on the Electric City Volunteer Fire Department for a number of years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Florence; four sisters: Shirley, Marion, Dot and Dorie; brother Art and son Billy Lee.

He is survived by his wife Clara “Fritzie” at their home in Electric City; sister Hazel in Spokane; daughters: Sharon in Soap Lake and Cheryl in Michigan and son Ben in Electric City. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

A graveside service is planned for Saturday, Apr. 14, at 10 a.m., at Spring Canyon Cemetery, with a get-together at the Electric City Fire Barn following the burial.