Jack Travis Van Horn, 91, a resident of Las Vegas passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2016. He was born on March 25, 1925, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Fred B. and Ivy Ray Van Horn. He graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1941 and attended Coffeyville Community college for one year and entered the U. S. Navy V-12 college training program at Washburn University. After one year at Washburn and a few months at Harvard Business School, he received a commission in the Navy Supply Corps and was assigned to Commander Service Forces in the Pacific where he served with distinction and earned three commendations: World War II Victory Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon. After leaving the service he completed college at the University of Kansas. Jack worked for Gulf Oil Corporation working in Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, New Mexico and Oregon. He was a senior unit supervisor of the Gulf Oil Corporation in Roswell and Hobbs and left Gulf Oil after 18 years to become the business manager at Illinois College. Jack then moved on to Portland, Ore., where he was business manager at the Portland Chiropractic College. After retirement he was employed at the business office of New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas.In 1958 he married Lucille Brangwin in Rockaway, N.J. He is survived by his wife, Lucille of the family home; one son, Fred (Tony) Van Horn of Rio Rancho; and one grandson, Brandon Van Horn of Las Vegas. He was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church, 1000 Douglas Ave. in Las Vegas and served on the board of trustees as well as treasurer of various Presbyterian churches throughout New Mexico.A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday from the First United Presbyterian Church, 1000 Douglas Ave. in Las Vegas. The interment will follow at a later date in the family plot in the Restlawn Cemetery, Coffeeville, Kan.In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Building Fund at the First United Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gonzalesfunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Billy G. Rogers at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd., 425-9319.A special thanks for Dr. Elliott and Dr. Mary Schipper for their outstanding devotion, kindness, care, and compassion. In his final journey Jack wrote, "I wish I could find words to tell the congregation and friends what the last two plus weeks have meant to Lucille and me. The outpouring of love and compassion defies words. How blessed we are to be recipients. Until one needs help, a person just isn't aware of how priceless congregation and friends can be."Jack will be remembered for his passion for all things intellectual. He was a reader, a poet, a musician, and a great philanthropist. He leaves a great example of a life well lived with many accomplishments.
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