Mr. James David Horton Jr.

James David Horton, Jr., also affectionately known as “Jimmy”, “Jim”, “June Bug”, & “Junior”, was born on May 2, 1962, in Tacoma, Washington, to the late James David Horton, Sr. & Minnie Ruth (Richardson) Horton. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 29, 2019, after having been ill for several months. Jimmy was blessed with special gifts, and although labeled as autistic, he had amazing abilities and a zeal for life like no other. Jimmy was a very self-reliant person that did not want anyone’s help with much. He was educated in the Tacoma School District, receiving his High School Diploma from Henry Foss High School in 1983. He took great pride in keeping his surroundings neat, and did not like his belongings to be touched or moved. In his younger years, if you bothered him or his things, you would be doing so at your own risk! A few caught his specialty, the “Head But”, if they so dared!

Jimmy was a lifetime Tacoma resident, and grew up in the church, spending most of his life as a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. He confessed his belief in Jesus Christ at a young age, and was baptized. He immensely enjoyed 1st Sunday communion, insisting upon having it each month, whether he was able to attend services or not. Jimmy expected someone to bring him communion. He also enjoyed singing with the Mt. Calvary Brotherhood, leading what came to be known as “his song”, Send Me, I’ll Go. You could find his Bible and commentary open any time you visited Jimmy, and he would regularly & proudly report that he had been “studying” his lesson. Jimmy’s love for the Lord was evident in his daily walk; he put a smile on the faces of everyone he met. Even though he was a physically large man, he was really a sweet soul, who, once you engaged him in conversation, immediately made you smile.

Jimmy rode the Pierce Transit Bus for many years, and was well known throughout the community. He often caught the bus to go about the city; getting his hair cut at Sam & Terry’s Barber Shop every 4th Saturday of the month, and grabbing a couple candy bars and sodas from Safeway. It seemed everywhere he went, people knew him. In his younger years, Jimmy was an avid bowler, having won many awards and trophies through the Metropolitan Park District. Additionally, Jimmy absolutely LOVED the old sitcom Sanford & Son, and had several seasons on DVD that he watched daily AND memorized the lines of EVERYONE on the show!

His father, James David Horton, Sr., preceded him in death.
Jimmy never married or had children of his own, but he had a host of nieces, a nephew, and great-nieces & nephews, who all affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Jim Jim”. They had many humorous moments together. He is survived by his mother, Minnie Ruth Horton of Tacoma, Washington, his 2 sisters, Sharon Eulon Wilson (Donell), & Symantha Lynn Lindsay (Allen, Sr.) of Tacoma, Washington; 3 nieces, Cheleece Jackson (Durrell) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Shalonda Taylor (L.J.), and Donzel Vaetoe (Jacob) of Tacoma, Washington; and his only nephew, Allen Lindsay II, also of Tacoma, Washington; 3 great-nieces, Nevaeh Ruth, Amiya Eulon, and Ava Jade; and a great-nephew, Josiah James David. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved and will miss him as well.


Visitation to be held February 7, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Edwards Memorial Lakewood Chapel, 11020 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA 98499. Funeral Ceremony to be held February 8, 2019 11:00 am at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1311 S I St, Tacoma, WA 98405. Graveside Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at New Tacoma Cemetery, 9212 Chambers Creek Rd. W., University Place, WA 98467.

Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories.
253-566-1008

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