Hosea Ellis Horne, Jr., 96, of Richlands, NC, passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington on February 19, 2024. Hosea (hereinafter Junior as he was known to family and friends) was born in the Cypress Creek Community of Duplin County, NC, on June 11, 1927, to the late Hosea Horne and Mary Horne. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Helen James Horne, sisters Martha Horne Rivenbark, Elma Horne Batts, Myrtle Horne Marapese, and Adel Horne Henderson, big brother Norman Horne, and lifelong best friend and cousin Neil Horne. He is survived by his daughter, Janice Horne Barbee of Jacksonville, NC, son Steven Horne (Roseanna) of Wilmington, NC, granddaughters Melissa Wright (Wes) of Wilmington and Caroline Horne of Chapel Hill, NC, and great grandsons Warren and Evan Wright of Wilmington.

Junior attended a one room school house in his community before attending Richlands High School. He graduated in June 1944, just before his 17th birthday. He was drafted into the Army in late 1945 and was sent to France, arriving in April 1946. Before boarding ship, brother Norman, who Junior admired and looked to for a more mature perspective, and who himself had just been discharged from the Army, cautioned him to do what he was told and keep his mouth shut. As both Germany and Japan had surrendered months earlier, Junior expected to spend a few months in Europe before being discharged and shipped home. To his surprise he was ordered to report to the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany. Assigned as an aide to the colonel in charge of the courthouse and detention facilities, Junior witnessed one of the most historically important events of that century. His primary responsibility was to communicate with the staffs of multinational dignitaries and arrange authorization for them to attend the war trials. Later in his life, Junior commented how ironic it was that a country boy from rural North Carolina would have a front row seat at such a significant international event.

After his discharge from the Army, Junior returned to the family farm in Duplin County. He married his beloved Helen in 1951. Realizing the difficulty in supporting his young family on income from a small farm, Junior began civil service employment with the US Department of Defense aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in early 1953. At the time of his retirement 37 years later, he was the Director of the Civilian Personnel Office at Camp Lejeune. Junior greatly enjoyed his job as personnel director for the base and took a special interest in placing job applicants in positions where they were best suited, could earn a living, and succeed in their employment.  He received numerous awards for his leadership and dedication, and although he was offered opportunities to serve as personnel director at multiple Marine Corps installations across the country and around the world, he always chose to remain near his home, as his ties to Duplin County were just too strong.

Junior was an avid hunter and fisherman and particularly enjoyed fishing trips to the Alligator River in northeastern North Carolina with son Stevie, brother Norman, cousin Neil, and brothers-in-law William and Orlan James. He was extremely active in his community and in Springfield Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, of which he was a lifetime member, holding multiple positions of leadership in his church, community projects, and civic organizations.

In everything he did in his life, Junior was guided by the values and principles he learned while growing up on a small family farm at the end of a dirt road in eastern North Carolina.  He left a legacy of devotion to his family and dedication to the betterment of his community. He will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made along the way.

The family would like to thank the many neighbors, friends, and church members who helped our Dad make his way in recent years, particularly Phillip Williams, who responded to many calls in times of need, Travis Rich, who fixed about everything Daddy managed to break, and Betty Merritt, Opie Heath and Theresa Handley, who provided care and comfort to Daddy in the past months. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield PFWB Church 744 Cypress Creek Road, Richlands, NC 28574 and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, February 24th at Community Funeral Home, 840 West Main Street, Beulaville, NC. The funeral service will begin at 1:00. The graveside service will follow at Onslow Memorial Park Cemetery, 3280 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville, NC.

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Horne family.