Joe Kenneth (Ken) Horn, 93, of Springfield, Missouri, went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Monday, December 11, 2023. Ken was born on July 10, 1930, in Saltillo, TX to Ike and Flora Horn. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and continued to grow closer to the Lord.

After high school, Ken earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from East Texas State Teachers College. After graduating in 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base. While there, he was an active member of Westview Baptist Church in Belleville, IL, where he was ordained as a deacon at the age of 25. After leaving the Air Force, he taught at Mars Hill College in North Carolina before returning to teach at his alma mater.

A mutual friend introduced Ken to the woman who would become the love of his life, Joyce Smith. They were married in 1962 and established their first home together in Commerce, TX. They later moved to Norman, OK where Ken earned his Doctor of Education Degree in 1964 from The University of Oklahoma. While there, they were blessed with the birth of their first child, Kevin.

In 1965 Ken accepted a position as the Head of the Business Department at Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO, where he was also a faculty sponsor for the Baptist Student Union. While living in Bolivar, their oldest daughter, Yvonne, and youngest daughter, Colleen, were born. Ken was then hired as a professor for the College of Business Administration for Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU), where he taught for 23 years. After retiring from a 39-year career in the classroom, he enjoyed working with students in the SMSU business advisement center.

Throughout his life, Ken served in many areas of church ministry. He served as a deacon as well as on various committees and always enjoyed teaching Sunday School, but what was most important to him were the relationships he built along the way. He had a genuine concern for drawing people to the Lord. Ken, Joyce, and their family were actively involved at First Baptist Church Springfield, and they later moved their church membership to South Gate Baptist Church. Ken's passion for Christ was displayed throughout his entire life, even as he shared the love of Jesus with his caregivers and fellow residents during the last chapter of his life.

Ken had a love for travel that was evidenced through frequent family vacations, RVing with Joyce, and fulfilling their dream to visit all 50 states. His love of life was also shown in his willingness to serve others through Kiwanis Club Springfield South and Arc of the Ozarks. He was an avid sports fan and a lifelong follower of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He always demonstrated that family was his priority by attending his children's and grandchildren's academic and athletic activities.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ike and Flora Horn, his son, Kevin, and his loving wife of 40 years, Joyce.  He is survived by his daughters, Yvonne and husband, Ralph Siebert, of Rogers, Arkansas and Colleen and her husband, Dane Hutchins, of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren Eric (and wife Katy) Siebert, Amanda Siebert Ward, Brad Ruby, Chad Horn Ruby, and Delaney and Canon Hutchins; and great grandchildren Braxton and Ellery Siebert, and Leighann, Kinley, and Carsyn Ward.

Those who had the opportunity to know Ken are blessed by the gift of his life. He was a present, loving, kind, and faithful servant, and we are forever thankful for the impact he had on our lives. He established a legacy for our family that we will strive to carry forward in his loving memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Arc of the Ozarks Springfield Division.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, MO, and a celebration of his life service will be held at South Gate Baptist Church in Springfield on Monday, December 18, at 11:00 am. A graveside service will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield.