James Horne

Heading: Dad, Papa, Friend

James R. Horne, 81, of Millcreek, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 21, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on May 27, 1933, the son of the late Gertrude Gleason Horne.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores Messenger Horne, son Jeff Horne, granddaughter Kimberly Horne, grandson Jeffery Bliss, great-grandson Kole Caskey, and a special friend Noreen Swift.

James graduated from Academy High School in 1953 with Honors. He served in the U.S. Army at the end of the Korean War. He spent 20 years in the Army Reserves and retired as a Staff Sergeant. He was an electronic repairman and worked for Meadow Brook Dairy. He retired from General Electric.

He was a member of the Erie Thunderbirds Drum and Bugle Corp from 1957-1979, and the greatest thrill of his life was when he joined them! He then went on to become a founder of Excaliber color guard in 1980, and Excaliber bingo. He was also a member of American Legion Post 773 on West 12th Street. He loved racing his family cars. He was also an avid sports fan and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Survived by his children, James (fiancé Andrea), Scott (Raeann) Horne, Tracy Horne (Joe) of Erie, Joyce Beatty (Dave 2) of FL, Robin Weislogel (Don), Ruby Buck (David 1), Robert Bliss (Annette), Crystal Bliss & (her significant other Dave Gardner 3), of Erie, Ken Bliss (Rita), Mike Bliss (Mary) of Ohio, James Bliss (Rosanne) and John Bliss (Mary) of Erie; 35 Grandchildren and 60 Great grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a service at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3642 West 26th Street, on Friday at 11 a.m.

Donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Erie, 2253 West Grandview Boulevard, Erie, PA 16506, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, River Walk Corporate Centre 333 E. Carson Street, Ste., 441, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, the Cleveland Chapter of MADD, 15666 Snow Road, #201 Cleveland, OH 44142 or the Erie Thunderbirds, 4509 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506.