Darrell Hortness

    On Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, we lost the most generous, hard- working, story-weaving man that we will always remember. After 86 years of accumulative careers as a teacher, a Marine, a Golden Glove Champion, a football player, a coach, an insurance salesman, dance instructor, contractor, and harmonica player, he finally retired with his boots still on.     Darrell graduated from Pharr High School 1948, played football for Southwest Texas State College from 1948-52, served as 1st Lt. in Marines from1952-54, received his Master Degree from SWT in1956, taught and coached at SMHS and Edna High School, built custom homes in San Marcos for 44 years, was inducted into the Bobcat Hall of Honor in 1986 and was employed by Chuck Nash Auto Group as Jack-of-All-Trades-Engineer.     Born in McAllen, Texas he was married to Lola Ann Fischer Keck for 25 years. They have four daughters, Dara (Jerry) Zoboroski, Rhonda (Dr. Dan) Miller, Tange (Jerry) Hamilton and Linda (Walter) Shaffer. He is survived by five siblings Dorothy Lauw, Ruby McAlpine, Raymond Hortness, Orval (Faye) Hortness and Annette Autry. Darrell was most proud of his 14 grandchildren, Jared (Meghan) Miller, Sam (Mandie) Miller, Rachel, Elizabeth, Hannah and Abigail Miller; Jacob (Chaley) Hamilton, Rebecca and Katherine Hamilton; Hunter (Deanna) Shaffer, Grant, Landry, Courtney and Zachary Shaffer and one great-grandson, Kent Williams Miller.     Equally as important, he leaves behind countless people whose lives he shaped and molded through his own example of integrity and self-discipline. Darrell, we love you so much and cannot believe you are gone.     A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, J. Garland Warren Room, 2nd Floor, located at 1100 Aquarena Springs Drive, in San Marcos.     In lieu of flowers please send monetary donations to the Darrell Hortness Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to: Texas State University, Memo: Darrell Hortness. Mail to Texas State Athletics, Attention: Travis Comer, Darren B Casey Bldg., 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666.