Shirley Kathleen "Kathy" Horton

Celebration of Life:

Shirley Kathleen “Kathy” (Simms) Horton, 81, passed into eternal life on Thursday, January 30th, 2025. Kathy was born in Pueblo, CO on June 9, 1943 to Robert and Myrtle Simms of Pueblo, CO.
Kathy, as she was known to friends and family, attended schools in Pueblo District 60 and graduated from East High School in the class of 1961. She enrolled in Southern Colorado State College, Pueblo, CO, to pursue a degree in education and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. She married the love of her life, Ralph Dean Horton, on December 22, 1961.
She was an educator at heart and believed that children deserved to be loved, nurtured, and inspired. Kathy worked for Pueblo District 60 for 17 years. Kathy loved history, biology, and nature. She was a voracious reader and always had a book within reach. Kathy loved to engage students in the joy and wonder of learning and never missed an opportunity to share her knowledge with others.
Kathy’s life was centered around faith and family. She loved and trusted Jesus Christ at a young age and served Him throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Belmont Church of the Nazarene and later attended First Church of the Nazarene in Pueblo, CO. Her passion was children’s ministry and she taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and was part of a neighborhood bus ministry that provided transportation so children could attend church.
Kathy was always up for an adventure and enjoyed traveling to places like Norway, Canada, England, and Mexico. She cherished the time she spent on family camping trips, playing cards, dominoes, and being in the great outdoors. Glenwood Springs, CO was always a favorite destination with her family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her three beloved grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She enjoyed and loved each one of her nieces and nephews.
Kathy is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 43 years, Ralph Dean Horton; cherished daughter, Ruthie Michelle Horton; parents, Robert J. and Myrtle Simms; brother Robert J. Simms, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Dr. John McLaughlin. She is survived by cherished son, R. Dean Horton II and wife Lisa of Pueblo, CO; grandchildren, Jonathan Dean Horton of Pueblo, CO, Nicole Hiratuka and husband Vinicius of Madison, MS, and Brandi Horton of Colorado City, CO; great-grandchildren, RJ, Hadley, and Mason Day, Calvin and Casper Horton, and Isabella and Sophia Hiratuka; Sister, Ruth E. McLaughlin of Aurora, CO; niece, Kathy Ann McLaughlin of Aurora, CO; nephew, Dr. John McLaughlin and wife Ronette of Aurora, CO; sister-in-law, Gaylene Simms of Yukon, Oklahoma; niece Julie Cantwell and husband Rich of Denver, CO; niece Jill Simms of Denver, CO; many beloved great nieces and nephews and a large group of relatives that includes both the Simms and Horton families.
Kathy’s family would like to express sincere appreciation to Sharmar Village Senior Care, especially the staff in the memory care unit, Sangre de Cristo Hospice, and dear friend Corinne Aguilar.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 21, 10:00 a.m., at Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel, 1317 N. Main, Pueblo, CO. Interment and graveside service will be at Imperial Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Pueblo, CO at 2:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, 1920 Valley Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008. You may also donate in memory of Ruthie Horton to The Ruthie M. Horton “For the Love of Learning” Scholarship, Central High School, 216 E. Orman Avenue, Pueblo, CO, 81004; or First Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81005.