James W. Hornback, Jr.

James W. Hornback, Jr. 83, passed from this life on Saturday, April 15, 2023 with his daughter Jo and son-in-law Jason by his side. Jim was a native of Indiana and was a 33 year resident of Arizona before moving to Virginia in October of 2022 to be closer to his family. While he missed his home, his friends and the mountains of Arizona, he was acclimating to his new life in Virginia. He was getting absolutely amazing care from the Veterans Hospitals in Hampton and Richmond, VA. He looked forward to every appointment, and especially enjoyed picnicking on the Hampton VA Hospital grounds overlooking the water. He was also getting exemplary care from TPMG Patriot Square in Grafton and his doctor Haley Kielbas and her staff. He recently commented that he was feeling better than he had in many years and was so appreciative of the wonderful medical care he was receiving.
Jim was a very proud veteran of the US Marine Corp, serving from 1958-1961. He enlisted right out of high school with his best friends of 73 years Fred Smith and Wally Curwick. He fondly reminisced of how they would get tickled in the chow hall and Jim had to do pushups with Fred on his back.
Jim was preceded in death by his wives, Jeannie, who was the absolute love of his life, and Margaret; his parents Jim and Fannie Hornback; siblings, David Hornback, Jeanie Weinbrenner and Susie Hornback; and his granddaughter Angela Blair.
He is survived by his children, Jo Blair Houston and her husband Jason of Newport News, James W. Hornback III (Jimmy) and his wife Sandy of Lafayette, Indiana and Jill Evans and her husband Denny of Ketchikan, AK; two sisters, Mary Lou Rutledge of Springfield, OR and Cindy Rutledge of Beaverton, OR. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Jeremy (Jessy), Brett (Ashley), Jamie, Wesley, Danny (Laurel), Marshall, Mary, Julia and Colin; and 7 great grandchildren, Kaylee, Jenny, Noah, Haley, Gabriel, Micah and Alayna and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was a wonderful caregiver to his faithful friend and companion, his fur baby Sheba. Sheba made the trip from Arizona to Virginia with him and she was his emotional support kitty after the loss of his wife Margaret. She often felt his loneliness and would climb up on his lap and love on him, and he cherished the love she gave him.
A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023 in the chapel of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 24, at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk with Pastor Shaun Brown officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.supportwoundedwarriorproject.org