John Thaddeus Horney, MD

John was born to the late Helen Price and John Joseph Horney in Youngstown, Ohio November 4, 1945. A 1963 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and a standout in athletics, he attended the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship where he distinguished himself as a tenacious competitor on the field as a linebacker on the 1966 National Championship team. Off the field, John was recognized for his keen intellect graduating in 1967. John went on to the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and began his career in Atlanta at Grady Hospital in 1971. He often commented that he learned more in a month while serving in Grady’s renowned emergency unit than he did in his years in medical school. He completed his Residency and Fellowship at Emory University Hospitals. An accomplished physician, John practiced for over 45 years in Atlanta specializing in Gastroenterology. He was known as a caring and compassionate physician, and was beloved and respected by his colleagues, nurses and patients.

A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed exercise, travel, reading, golf, gardening, a nice meal and glass of wine. John was at his happiest spending time with family and friends. He traveled back to Notre Dame often and enjoyed many reunions with his teammates and coach including last September where his team celebrated the 50th anniversary of their 1966 National Championship. A true kid at heart, he was adored by his 13 grandchildren and was known to them affectionately as “John Daddy”.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years Alice Fanning Horney, his four daughters: Sara Utsch (John), Monica Herring (Russell), Erin Gannon (Christopher) of Atlanta, GA and Katherine Neuenfeldt (Michael) of San Mateo, CA and his beloved grandchildren: Charlie, Mae Mae, Amelia and Henry Utsch; Jack, Julia, Quinn and Francie Herring; Paddy, Claire and Billy Gannon; J.P. and Teddy Neuenfeldt; and his sister, Clarissa and her husband Robert Elias. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Sandra Laverie.

A visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 in Kenny Hall at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, GA. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, private burial to follow at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care, the Cathedral of Christ the King and the University of Notre Dame.