Thomas Horne

Thomas Michael "Mike" Horne, 73, of Como, Colorado, passed away January 3, 2022 from an extended illness which began a few months prior. Mike was the husband, of nearly 50 years, to Bertha Horne and father to Brandy Horne of Colorado Springs, CO and Darlene Pratt of Dexter, MN. He was also a beloved grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Mike was born on November 10, 1948 in Ruston, Louisiana and spent most of his life in South Louisiana before moving to Colorado in 2001. Colorado always held a special place for Mike as he loved off-roading, camping, hiking, fishing and other activities that the Rocky Mountains afford. He also enjoyed driving his diesel-engine motor home around the country visiting sites, family and friends during his retirement.

Mike grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and graduated from Iowa High School in 1966. He pursued a return to college and at the ripe age of 50, inspired us all by graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA Bachelor's Degree from University of Louisiana. He was employed with the US Government as a Contract Administrator for 20 years including stints at the Department of Interior, Department of Defense, and the National Park Service.

Mike was the cowboy of the family and spent his summers as a teen and young man in El Dorado, Arkansas working cattle and riding his Uncle Liv Wiles' rodeo stock, specializing in bull riding. After a brief stint at McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and spent two years in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Upon returning he found a 'different' world than he expected in many ways. He moved to Lafayette, Louisiana and went into long haul oilfield equipment and freight trucking.

Upon returning from a trucking run one day, he came across an auto accident in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was struck from behind by a loaded 18-wheeler traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact caused his rig to jack-knife and slide down an embankment, pinning Mike between the steering wheel and the rear of the seat. After pulling free and climbing out of the cab, he noticed that an automobile was burning a short distance away; inside he could make out an elderly man struggling to free himself. Fortunately, Mike channeled extreme bravery and was able to free the trapped man's foot and pull him from the vehicle. The man then asked Mike to help his wife, who was still inside. By then, the smoke was so thick that he couldn't see inside the car, but he climbed inside through the window to find her. She was barely conscious, but he managed to pull her to and out through the window; her clothing was smoldering, and her dress scorched his hands as he tried to hold on. Mike half-carried, half-dragged her a short distance away before the Ford exploded and sent them both crashing to the concrete. She unfortunately died at the hospital from smoke inhalation but the gentleman, her husband, did live a few more years. Mike was nominated for a Carnegie Hero Fund award, which did not become a reality, but was a great gesture, nonetheless. It was after this event and lots of surgeries and rehabilitation, he attended the university and reinvented himself so to speak, serving our nation by working for the federal government as detailed above.

As we consider and celebrate the life of Michael, we cannot help but reflect on how very special and different of a human being he was. He did not fit the mold. He was a man of determination, never bragged and gave of himself time and time again as called upon.

Mike is survived by his wife Bertha, his daughters Brandy Horne of Colorado and Darlene Pratt (Joe) of Minnesota, his sister Shirley Magnuson (Richie), his brothers Terry Horne (Denise) and Steve Horne (Ginger) of Louisiana, grandchildren Randall, Sadie and Trisha Pratt, 2 nieces, 4 nephews, 2 great nieces,1 great nephew, 2 aunts,1 uncle and many cousins. His fur-baby, Bella, whom he adored and grand fur-babies Abby and Mango.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas P. Horne and Addie Miller along with aunts, uncles, cousin, a fur-baby and grand fur-baby.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022, 9am-11:30am, followed by funeral service at 11:30am. Both to be held at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Interment to be held at 1:15pm that same day, Fort Logan National Cemetery Staging Area C.