Eric Wilson Horton

Eric "Big E" Wilson Horton, 62, true and faithful servant of the Lord, loving husband, devoted father and wonderful friend, went to be with his heavenly Father on Thursday afternoon, July 21, 2016, peacefully surrounded by his family.

Eric was born on May 8, 1954 in Andalusia, Alabama, son of the late Frank Horton and Edna Gentry Horton. He was raised by his parents who instilled a strong spiritual heritage in him that carries on today. Eric was an energetic and magnetic person who shared his faith and love for his family at every opportunity. To know Eric was to love him.

Eric's compassion for others along with wisdom in business made him a dynamic force for good in this world. He graciously gave of himself and his resources to help those around him. In doing so, he shared the love of Christ in both word and deed and set an incredible example for his sons and all who knew him.

Eric was s proud graduate of Auburn University, class of 1977, where he spent many weekends enjoying football with family and friends.

In 1990, Eric and two partners founded the billboard company, Phoenix Structures based in Athens, TN.

Eric settled in Cartersville, GA, where he became a key figure in the local business community. Eric was also a proud and active member of both Tabernacle and First Baptist Church of Cartersville, GA. Eric was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Eric loved big and his family was the pride of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost twenty-seven years, Jennie McEver Horton; two sons, Hunter Cole Horton and Chandler Wade Horton; brothers, Ron (Terri) Horton, Kenny (Kathy) Horton, all of Ft. Worth, TX; sister, Jan (Mike) Beard of Auburn, AL; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jimmy and Joyce McEver of Cartersville, GA; brother-in-law, Jeff (Melissa) McEver of Rome, GA; several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 24th of July, 2016 at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Dr. Don Hattaway and Jeremy Morton officiating. Interment will follow with an escorted cortege in Sunset Memory Gardens.

Serving as pallbearers are Stacy Mathison, Jeff Lewis, Olen Suire, Anders Best, Chris Jones, Wilson Haynes, Josh McWhorter, Steve Powell, Ernie Gore and Tommy Howard.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the evening until nine on Saturday, the 23rd of July, 2016 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to the Bartow Family Resource Center, 200 Leake St., Cartersville, GA 30120.

In memory of Eric's love for the Auburn Tigers, attendees may wear orange and blue for funeral service.

Eric's services are under the direction of Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120.