Hosey Ray Horton, 86

On Aug. 22, 2022, Hosey Ray Horton left this life. He was the last of nine brothers and sisters to go.

Hosey was born in 1936 in Texas and raised in the Central Valley of California. He was a standout athlete during his high school years, excelling at baseball and track and field. When he was only 19 years old, he met and married Josephine Lorenzo, who was 18 at the time.

Shortly thereafter, he joined the Air Force and they moved to Lincoln, Neb., where their daughter, Karen, was born. His next assignment was in Madrid, Spain, where their son, Ronald, was born. After spending three years in Spain, Hosey was assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base. Although the family moved many times in the following years, with Hosey serving one 12-month tour in Vietnam, they never forgot Spokane and returned upon Hosey’s retirement from the military in 1976.

Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill to pursue his love of writing, Hosey received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Eastern Washington University. Following graduation, Hosey accepted a position as editor of the Priest River Times and later as editor of the Tri-County Tribune, a position he held for more than 10 years.

For several years before retirement, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and Spokane.

Hosey enjoyed listening to all kinds of music and his record collection was extensive. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping with his family while on assignments in Colorado and Alaska as well as Eastern Washington.

After retirement, he spent many hours reading, especially histories. He had a long, loving marriage and a full life.

Hosey leaves behind his wife, Josephine, his daughter, Karen, his son, Ronald, daughter-in-law Melissa, granddaughters Ashley and Alexandra, and great-granddaughters Betty and Ada.