Peter was born to Henry D. and Katherine R. (Hart) Horton on March 25, 1938 in Butte, MT. He passed away at his home in Helena in the early morning hours of February 19, 2019 with his wife Debbie and caregiver Lisa at his side. He was 80 years old.
Pete spent his early years in Butte until WWII broke out and his parents moved to Grand Rapids, MN where his father worked in Duluth ship yards. While in Grand Rapids, Sister Karen and twin sisters Margrette and Kathryn joined the family.
After the war the family followed their dream to return to Montana first living in Sheridan, MT for a year and then moving to Butte. Pete attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Butte High School in 1956. That fall found Pete enrolled at Montana Tech where he majored in general studies, football and as he said “too much fun.” That spring, he began working summers for the Forest Service serving in the Deer Lodge and Helena National Forests for several years.
Pete transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman, where he met and married Adona Samuels, in July 1960, in Helena, MT. While living in Bozeman, their first daughter, Leslie, was born. Pete earned his BA in Agricultural Education and Science from MSU in the spring of 1962.
The summer of 1962 found the family moving to White Sulphur Springs, MT where Pete began a 39 year career of teaching. He taught both junior and senior high classes. He was active in the Jaycee’s, the restoration of the historic “Castle Mansion” and church choir. Daughters Stacy and Sonvje joined the family.
The summer of 1970 Pete received his MA in Geology, Chemistry and Math from Idaho State University and the family moved to Helena where Pete began teaching at the Helena Junior High. Pete also taught woodworking through Adult Education for 13 years and guitar lessons for 8 years. In the summers he and friend Bill Dotter ran the Rattlesnake Brothers Construction Co. doing building and remodeling in the Helena area.
In 1983 Pete married Debbie Burke and gained another daughter Kitty and three sons, Shawn, Scott and Kyle.
Pete retired from the Helena School District in the spring of 1993 and began to remodel a cabin that they purchased in Elliston, MT. He spent many days building, watching birds and relaxing in the country. In 1995 Pete resumed his teaching habit joining the Construction Technology Department at the Helena College of Technology. He enjoyed building the “trade” houses and teaching skills to many students. He loved the job.
Pete retired from teaching in 2003 and returned to working on the cabin. In 2005 he found the warm weather and rock piles of Arizona. They purchased a small home in Bouse, AZ where Pete spent 13 winters pursuing rock hounding, jewelry design, silversmithing, and enjoying the desert wildflowers and birds.
Pete was a man of many interests and talents. He played guitar, piano and other instruments as well as sang. Along with friend Woody he followed Jazz and Bluegrass music festivals throughout the northwest. He created beautiful stained glass art, he was a carpenter and fine wood worker, a dedicated bird watcher and wildflower admirer and loved soaring in an airplane. He continued to increase his varied education until he passed.
Pete was a member of the Helena Mineral Society and the Helena Audubon Society.
He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughters Leslie Horton Sheeley, Stacy (J.T.) Wheeler, Sonny (Scott) Kuhr, sisters Margrette (Bob) Akers, and Kate Blankenship. Stepchildren Shawn (Audry) Burke, Kitty (Billy) Thomas, Scott (Tammy) Burke and Kyle Burke. Grandchildren Briana (Jake) Stecks, Adonis (Caitlin) Sheeley, Chad (Cindy) Sheeley, Jack Wheeler, Sam Wheeler, Megan Kuhr, A.J. Kuhr, Samantha Burke, Cheyenne Burke, Jordon Tabbert, Kyle Thomas, Darin Burke, Cristin Burke, Malina Scott, Cadence Burke and Dylan Burke. Great grandchildren Audri Sheeley, Kord Sheeley, Henry Sheeley, mother in law Marge Shandy and sister in law and brother in law Lin and Jim Quigley. He was also survived by lifelong friends, Lisle Wood, David (Susie) Marshall and Ethel Dickman.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Katherine Horton and his sister Karen Dillon.
We would like to thank Barb and Ron Marcoux, Lin and Jim Quigley, Lisa Schmitz and Eric Bones for the love, care and support they gave to Pete.
We certainly will miss you Papa!
A celebration of Pete’s life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena, MT with a reception to follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Rather than flowers, Pete would have appreciated any donation to Youth Institute, c/o Helena Mineral Society, P.O. Box 736, Helena, MT 59624 or to the American Lung Association by visiting www.lung.org. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Pete.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of his Life
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of his Life
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sandy (Nopper) Bradford says
My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to you, Deb, and your families. I just learned of Pete’s passing from friend, Ann Ripley. Another high school teacher from White Sulphur Springs, Ethel (Hefeneider) Dickman and Pete Horton were my instructors – and Ethel and Pete were great friends. Have stayed in touch with both of them over the years. (Ethel, Pete and Ann once taught at Helena Middle School together as a team). ALL wonderful people. What a great guy! I know he had his health challenges over these past few years. God bless you, Deb, as a caregiver – it’s a tough job. Will always have the wonderful memories of him as a teacher.
Bj Benjamin says
Sorry to here of Pete’s passing. He was a great teacher. He taught me in Wss and my children at Helena Middle school. He will be missed.
JOHN POPPE says
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY! PETE WAS MY MATH TEACHER AT HELENA JR. HIGH IN 1974.. A BIG ROLE MODEL IN MY LIFE!
Katherine Hankinson says
RIP Mr. Horton,
He was my science teacher at Helena Junior High in 1976. Very kind man and good teacher.
*Karlee Moran Miller says
Sorry for your loss Peter and I went to the Hawthrone School thru 8th grade , I had no idea that he lived in Helena or was a school teacher as I also located in Helena for 60 years. There were only 7 student all thru the 8 grades. Karlee Moran. Miller maried name.
Kat Coleman Reilly says
Thinking of you Deb. Take care. Sending prayers your way.
Joy Sleizer says
I am a year younger than Pete but attended Hawthorne for 7.5 years. I enjoyed talking to Pete & Lisle Wood at several of the Butte High reunions. Such fun to see folks in later years. I was aware that Pete was not at the last reunion, & I’m sorry I didn’t send a note at that time. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Joy Morse Sleizer
Jennifer (Rogers) Teller says
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Horton was my science teacher at Helena middle school. He encouraged me to try harder. I always remember when I got a B on an assignment and he called me up to his desk and he patted me on the back and told me good job and smiled. It was a good moment for me that stuck with me through the years.
Kathy Strausbaugh says
In nursing school I was assigned to interview a person older than 65 that I wasn’t related to…Pete willingly obliged:) I had been part of his life for about three years but had no idea how educated, talented and influential he really was. I am lucky to have learned his story and blessed to be able to call him and his amazing wife Deb my friends for the last 10 years. His appetite for life and learning was inspiring…he will be missed.
Love Kathy & family
Judy Curtiss says
Debbie and family – sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to you. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Ron and Judy Curtiss.
Kathy & James Bruce says
Mrs Horton, I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Horton’s passing. Although I didn’t know him I know that he will be greatly missed. I always enjoyed talking to both of you. He will be missed by all the members of the Helena Mineral Club. I will keep you and all of your family in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything please do not hesitate to call on us.
With Love, Kathy & James Bruce