George C. Hornberger

George Clement Hornberger passed away January 25, 2024, in Casper, Wyoming, surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. George was born on the family farm in Noble County, Oklahoma, near the town of Morrison, on December 29, 1939, to the parents of William Lee and Eula Marie (McQuiston) Hornberger. Growing up with six siblings, George had many adventures, which he would later recall as he entertained family and friends with what he called "Hornberger Stories."

George attended Morrison High School, where he excelled in basketball and Future Farmers of America, fueling his love for land and agriculture. Following his graduation in 1957, he attended Oklahoma State University where he graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. Additionally, George received a Board of Education Teaching Certificate.

During college, he met and fell in love with Kristin Elaine Penn whom he married in 1961. Together, they had two children, Douglas and Kimberly.

Upon graduation, George and Kris moved to Geneva, Nebraska where he taught high school agriculture classes, accounting, and welding. In 1966, George received an offer to join the Federal Land Bank Association (now Farm Credit), which he enthusiastically accepted, moving from Geneva to McCook, Nebraska. During his time at Federal Land Bank, George was promoted several times, moving his family to the Torrington/Lingle and Casper, Wyoming areas. In 1989 with 23 years of service, George retired as the Vice President, in Casper, Wyoming.

Not yet ready to fully retire, George continued to support the community and his love of the land through various jobs and community services. He wore many hats including selling real estate, working at Casper College, and returning to his love of the ranching community as an actuator for the US Government. He contributed to his community by serving on various committees to beautify Casper, as well as participating in various organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Wyoming Rescue Mission, Wyoming 4H Foundation, Elks Lodge, Lions Club, Masons and Rotary.

Together with Kris, Doug and Kim, George was blessed with additional loved ones. Following his divorce, Kathy Kidd entered his life, where he was a father to Kathy's daughter Amber and a grandfather to Rylan and Chloee Thronburg. In 2002, his twin granddaughters, Halley and Hannah Hornberger, were born to Doug and his wife, Lisa, and share the same birthday as their Papa.

George loved Wyoming for its people, rich ranch tradition and wide-open spaces. Additionally, he was known as a person whose handshake still meant something, a person who would give his own shirt to help another, and someone who always smiled and rarely frowned. George is preceded in death by his mother Eula, father William, stepfather Neil Spillane and brothers, Jim and Bud Hornberger. He is survived by his son Doug Hornberger (wife Lisa, daughters Halley and Hannah), daughter Kim French (husband Jeff), Kristin Hornberger, Kathleen Kidd, Amber Kidd, Rylan Thornburg, Chloee Thornburg and his beloved cat, Bella. He is also survived by his siblings Bill Hornberger, Wanda Sanders, Dorothy Knott, Marianne Greenwald and stepbrother David Spillane.

There will be a celebration of life from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Casper Elks Lodge in Casper, Wyoming, and on April 27, 2024, in Morrison, Oklahoma. If you feel so inclined, please make any contributions to the Casper chapter of Meals on Wheels via PayPal or by mail to 1760 E. 12th Street, Casper, WY 82601.

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