Roll Call Tribute

Marcus Lee Horton 

October 28, 1942 - November 27, 2023 

Marcus "The Marvelous" Lee Horton, 81, embarked on his final expedition into the great unknown on November 27, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska. Born in Houston, Texas, on October 28, 1942, to Dixie and Ernest Horton, he sailed through life with a twinkle in his eye and a joke at the ready. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1964, and was a patriotic and proud veteran.

A wild-hearted biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1970 to 1997, Marcus was the ultimate animal whisperer, except for that one ornery eagle - but we don't talk about that. He was a proud alumnus of Glacier High School and Texas A&M University. His time with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brought him to Florida, back to Texas, then eventually to Petersburg, Alaska, in summer 1977. He was moved to the Anchorage office in 1990, where he met the best friends of his life. He finished his career in Kalamath Falls, Oregon, where he lived from 1995-1997, before moving back to Anchorage to be near his children.

Marcus loved an array of activities throughout his life: hunting, fishing, birding, drawing, painting and, of course, golf!

Marcus is lovingly remembered by his pride and joy: son, Marcus T. Horton (Tori); daughter, Rebecca L. Havasi (Andrew); and grand-cubs, Rhiannon L. and Jackson L. Horton; band of brothers, Mack O. (Florence) and Melvin E. (Colleen) Horton; along with his fan club of nephews and nieces, Jason, Scott, Patrick, Randy and Jesse Horton, Amber Penny and Brandi Ray. They will all miss his legendary antics and one-of-a-kind sense of humor. Marcus now joins the great family reunion in the sky with his parents, Dixie and Ernest Horton; brother, Milton Ray Horton; countless aunts and uncles; and brother, Marvin, who presumably said, "I was wondering if they let you in" on April 20, 2024.

We're throwing the ultimate "Bon Voyage" party for Marcus at 3 p.m., on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 8936 Sahalee Drive, Anchorage, AK 99507 - where the dress code is "flamboyantly Marcus." Instead of flowers, Marcus requested that you plant a tree, adopt a pet or donate to the Anchorage Senior Center or The Nature Conservancy, so you can help the Earth be as vibrant as his personality.

Farewell, Marcus. You may have left the party, but the laughter echoes on.