Eddie Earl Horton

Eddie Earl Horton, 88, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 10, 2024. He was born on February 24, 1936, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Edgar M. and Velma (Nickell) Horton. Eddie was raised in the Dallas area and graduated from Adamson High School in 1954. He remained near Dallas until moving to Manchester in the summer of 2020.

At the age of 19, Eddie met the love of his life, Jimmie Lou Perkins on Mother’s Day weekend. Six weeks later, they were joined together in marriage on July 1, 1955, in Dallas. They were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Kelley. After high school, Eddie worked for the Sunbeam Bread Company and later Eddie decided to continue his education through trade school to become an electrician, a gift he would later share with others as an instructor (1963-1972). In 1973, Eddie and Jimmie opened Apollo Electrical Service Co., and later in 1980, opened Aladdin Electrical Service Co. until 1999. Aladdin Electrical, through the years, grew into a large electrical commercial contractor in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.

After retirement, Eddie loved traveling with his wife, going to places like Alaska and Hawaii. He was also passionate about hunting, taking many trips, one of which Eddie came home with a large grizzly bear, “Smokey”, from Alaska. “Smokey” was later donated to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Eddie enjoyed sports, both collegiate and professional, such as football, golf, and basketball. 

Eddie was inducted into the Academy of Electrical Contracting Foundation / ELECTRI’21 Council.  He was a member of the Northeast Texas Chapter of NECA. He served as the chapter’s governor, president, treasurer, and was a member of the board of directors and division chairman. Eddie was also a Mason and a member of the Shriners. Eddie was a man of integrity with a strong work ethic that he instilled in his employees over decades of service as an electrical entrepreneur.

Eddie had a very outgoing personality and rarely met a stranger, making friendly conversation wherever his path led him each day. He will be dearly missed but his smile and good company will always remain in our hearts.

Survivors include his daughters, Kimberly Horton (Mike Sheffield) of Texas, and Kelley Crock of Manchester; granddaughter, Katie Crock (special friend, Lukas Reinthaler) of Manchester; special friend, Janice Cole; sister-in-law, Gay Hammond of Tennessee; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 56 years, Jimmie Horton; son-in-law, John Crock; brother-in-law, Rommy Hammond; and sister-in-law, Betty (Murray) Woodard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shriners Children’s Texas, 815 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550.