Community mourns beloved bb coach

BY RICK REED

News-Gazette Sports Editor

The sudden, tragic death Monday morning of one of this community's most beloved men is beyond understanding.

Gary Horner, at the prime age of 58, has died, leaving behind his wonderful wife Linda, four children, Katrina, Kristy, Kurt and Kenny, two grandchildren, Kate Elle and Reagan Kay, and another one coming soon, many, many friends and former students as well as his colleagues in education.

He also bids farewell to hundreds, more accurately thousands, of past and present basketball players who knew him as "Coach Horner."

The news of Gary's death is a great shock to us, especially because he was a man who was always so full of life. It's humbling to know that someone with so much integrity can be taken away in an instant.

While the exact cause of his death as not yet been determined, we know that Gary was having severe pain in his lower back on Sunday, mentioning his troubles during a round of golf. A short time later he was gone.

"He'd been having some health problems this summer. He was having a harder time getting around and had some trouble breathing. But we didn't know it was anything like this," said Linda, struggling to speak through her grief. "He just genuniely cared about people and always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. I would give anything to have him back just for one more hug. Gary always made everything all right."

Gary and Linda recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary early. The met when they were 16, graduated together from Winchester in 1968, were married on Dec. 14 of that year and have been each other's rock ever since. On August 9, they attended their 40th class reunion together.

"He was such a special guy," said Mike Necessary, one of his close friends who was in the golf threesome Sunday. "He was having a lot of pain in his lower back and we wondered whether it might have been kidney stones. But after nine holes he said he started feeling better and he was loosened up. He was actually playing some good golf. It was the first time ever that he beat Kurt (Gary's youngest son)."

Chris Peacock knew Gary since childhood, went to the same Jericho Friends Church, and always admired Gary for the way he handled his life. "He really had his priorities in order. He knew that (coaching) basketball was just a game, and his life was his life. I have been so blessed to know him."

Steve Howell, WCHS Athletic Director, said it's easy to make positive comments about one of his fellow educators.

"It was always easy to defend Gary as a coach because he was such a good Christian man with strong family values. He won 16 to 18 games every year. The kids really liked him - he was a popular teacher and just a great role model for the students and athletes."

Dale Dodd, Gary's right hand man on the sidelines along with long-time junior varsity coach Steve Rutledge, said his long-time friend was much more than just a coach to the players. "He treated the girls like they were family," said Dodd, trying to keep his composure over the loss of someone he cared deeply about. "Gary never got the accolades for coaching that he deserved, but his record speaks for itself. "A lot of people never saw things that went on behind the scenes with him. He taught the girls about so much more than basketball. We've lost a one in million here.

"Regardless of what you thought about coaching style or philosophy, I think everyone would agree Gary was a great person," said Lacey (Ellis) Hummel, who played on Horner's 1999 sectional championship team and is now the school nurse. "There's a lot more to being a coach than just wins and losses. Gary taught a lot about life lessons and he was always there to be able to talk to you. He was someone who was always there for you."

A "Gentle Giant," described Mark Macy, a close friend and the team's statistician for the last dozen years.

"He was a honorable man in an honorable profession," said good friend and golf buddy Terry Swindell.

As a basketball coach, Gary was at his peak, coaching the Lady Falcons to sectional title in each of the past two seasons. Last year's team finished 20-5, advancing to the regional championship game before losing 77-62 to Southwestern, a top five team in Class 2A.

In 16 seasons as varsity coach, Gary guided Winchester to 246 wins, losing just 105 times, an amazing winning percentage of .701. His coaching victory total ranks 34th on Indiana's all-time list.

But Gary's enormous success as a basketball coach will not be his legacy. He will be remembered much more as a faithful, loving husband, father, doting grandfather and true friend - someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand for someone in need.

Gary Horner set a great example for not just his students and ball players, but for all of us.