Hoarce Rix Furlough

Horace Rix Furlough, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force Retired, age 81, of Monticello passed away Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 at his home. He was born in Creswell, North Carolina on August 16, 1930 to the late Arthur W. and Laura Ambrose Furlough. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Joyce Lee Richardson Furlough and three brothers, Burnie Furlough, Jordan Furlough, and Frank Furlough. He is survived by his wife, Paula Frank Furlough of Monticello; brother, Jennings Furlough of Brandenburg, Kentucky; two sisters, Olean Spruill of Chesapeake, Virginia and Ella Knight of Norfolk, Virginia; daughter, Joette Furlough of Dallas, Texas; son, Blake Furlough and wife Jill of Yellow Springs, Ohio; granddaughter, Jenna Schoen and husband Matt of Keller, Texas; grandsons, Adam, Mitchell, Joshua, Nathan, David, Caleb, and James Furlough of Yellow Springs, Ohio; and great-granddaughters Joy and Grace Schoen of Keller, Texas. Colonel Furlough served in the United States Air Force from 1950 until 1975 as a mechanic and pilot which included an assignment to the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Following his retirement from active duty, he returned to Monticello where he continued his flying career in general aviation. He was an FAA certified flight instructor and mechanic and also flew as a corporate and charter pilot for many local companies and individuals. He remained a certified pilot until 80 years of age. He held a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from George Washington University. A member of the First United Church of Monticello, Colonel Furlough served as Sunday school teacher, member and leader of many boards and groups, and certified lay minister. He volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol as mechanic, search pilot, and squadron commander. He was a pilot, mechanic, award-winning winemaker, farmer, mentor, teacher, and friend. "The Colonel," as he was known, was a positive, passionate, hard-working man who loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. Visitation will be at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be conducted by Rev. Bill Eason at the First United Methodist Church in Monticello on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery with Military Honors. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.