Rodney Lee Hortenstine

Rodney Lee Hortenstine, 72, died Monday, March 24, 2014, at his home in Taylor, Texas, of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Mr. Hortenstine was born June 11, 1941, in Mattoon, Ill., to Robert and Sue Swearingen Hortenstine. At the age of 6, the family moved to Amarillo, TX. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1959. Mr. Hortenstine attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.

At the University, he met Kay Lindell of Taylor. They married on August 10, 1963, at the First United Methodist Church in Taylor.

Following graduation, he moved to Amarillo where he was a home builder.

In 1966, he joined the United States Navy. He attended flight school, then joined the crew of the USS Donner (LSD 20). The ship participated in training missions putting Marines ashore in amphibious assaults in the United States and while on deployment to the Mediterranean Ocean. He left the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant, equivalent to a Captain in the Army.

After service, Mr. Hortenstine moved to Taylor and went to work for Babeco, serving the company as Executive Vice President for 33 years.

In addition to his other professional work, he developed the Dalhberg Subdivision in central Taylor.

Mr. Hortenstine was deeply involved in his community for which he was honored as Citizen of the Year in 2000. A dedicated member of the Taylor Rotary Club, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions and guided the club and its members in their support of the Rotary Foundation.

He was a member of the Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission for 20 years, serving as Chairman for much of that time. He left the Commission in 2005 when he was elected to be a member of the Taylor City Council. He chaired the city’s governing body as Mayor for 3 years.

He was a member of the Johns Community Hospital Foundation Board for several years before being named to the hospital’s Board of Trustees, serving until the hospital merged with Scott and White. Mr. Hortenstine was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served on its committees.

After retiring from Babeco, he devoted his time to his ranch, where he had cattle and a substantial garden, and to spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Hortenstine is survived by his wife, Kay; a son, David Hortenstine and wife, Christy of Taylor; a daughter, Holly Givens and husband, Kris, of Katy; a sister, Becky Mauck and husband, Ken of the Woodlands; and brothers Ben Hortenstine and wife, Vida; Phillip Hortenstine and wife, Pam; Merrill Hortenstine and wife, Pat; and Tom Hortenstine, all of Houston.

He has five grandchildren, Lauren MaKay Hortenstine, Matthew Ryan Hortenstine and Mason Robert Hortenstine of Taylor; and Jackson Ross Givens and Nathan Howard Givens of Katy.

Visitation will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor Wednesday, March 26, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral will be at Providence Funeral Home at 11 a.m Thursday, March 27, 2014, with The Reverend Brenda Atkins officiating.

Pallbearers will be Tim Bennett, Glen Buchhorn, Allen Ray David, Ted Hejl, Hubbard Parks, and David Reed. Honorary pallbearers will be Don McAlister and Capt. Alexander Bostrom, USN, Ret.

Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown, TX.

The family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Taylor; the Emory Bellard ALS Clinic, Scott & White, 300 University Blvd., Round Rock, TX. 78665, to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease; or the charity of your choice.