(1935 - 2005)
Jimmie reported aboard the USS Spangler in June 1954 and remained until he transferred to another ship in March 1956. He was a fun loving guy, loved to talk and loved to pull the craziest stunts. But he is remembered most as an outstanding signalman in the Quartermasters Gang. A fovorite past time was spending his evenings chatting by signal light with signalman on other ships. There was this one evening in San Diego when he was busy, as usual, chatting away when a signal flashed back from one of the ships, "This is Commander (so & so), knock off that flashing light!" Jimmie fired back, "Fiddle de de, fiddle do do, I'm a Commander too!" He laughed, quickly hit the light switch and hurried off the bridge. Unfortunately, the guys left behind on duty detail had to remain behind to catch the flak if the Commander from the other ship came over to vent his anger.
On leaving the service, Jimmie married a beautiful young lady, Myrtie Jane White and had two children, a son Jimmie and a daughter ____. They made their home in Castle, Oklahoma. a little over 70 miles east of Oklahoma City. With his friend Leonard Thompson, he formed an archery company, Central Oklahoma Archer, and remained in this business for several years until Leonard decided to relocate to Montana and open a lodge. On selling the business Jimmie drove a truck for Jones Truck Lines until he retired after 38 years. He also opened VanHorn's Gun Shop (on the side) in 1977. His son, Jimmie, says with pride that his dad "loved hunting and firearms and was an avid ammo reloader. I grew up hunting 'with' my dad and have loved every moment of it. He taught me the values I live by today. He taught me that the 2nd amendment was not the most important one, but like Thomas Jefferson wrote, without it the rest are in grave danger. He was always a very straight, law abiding man, but said he served his country proudly, but the only reason he would ever break the law was to keep his firearms he had worked so hard to collect and hunt with."
" My dad was 2nd in the state of Oklahoma in the amateur archery open class for two straight years('65/'66), but mom showed him who was boss by being 1st in the same class on the womens side for three years. He was very proud of her. They both had trophies galore. I still hunt and reload but wish I had dad here to enjoy it more with. He passed away here at home on June 2nd 2005 at age of 69. He was here with us at home and the cancer finally slowed his breathing until he passed with all of us at his side. That's how he wanted it. He didn't want to be in a hospital. My dad said "love your family first", that included his friends too. That was how he was, always trying to do everything for everyone. I was so proud my dad had God in his life and was a saved man. It was the biggest part of all his advice and decisions he made in his life with me, mom and sis."
Submitted in love and respect by his son, Jimmie D. Vanhorn, JR.Click here to visit the Jimmie VanHorn Photo Album
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