Orville Leslie Horst

Orville Leslie Horst

COLORADO SPINGS, Colo. - Orville Leslie Horst, 89, passed away Monday (January 14, 2008).

He was born to Elizabeth (Winey) Horst and Titus F. Horst on Sept. 27, 1918, in Newton. He was the fourth of seven children. He grew up on a farm and attended country schools until ninth grade, when he began high school in Newton. Orville was tall, strong and healthy with an avid interest in all sports, especially basketball. He soon found himself on the basketball team, which started a lifelong love of the sport. By the time he graduated in 1937, he was well known for his impressive ability as a Newton High School 'Railroader.' He continued his remarkable basketball career at Bethel College in North Newton, before graduating in 1941.

Following graduation, he worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita as an aeronautical engineer. There, he met Maxine Marie Endicott of Pittsburg and promptly fell in love. They were married in 1942 and established their home together. Soon, though, life would change for the couple and the country as World War II escalated. Orville was proud to serve his country as a naval officer, stationed in Hawaii.

At the end of the war, he returned home to Maxine, and their new daughter, Karen Sue. He began a career in education that would span the next 43 years. During this time, he received his master's degree from Columbia University and entered the doctoral program at the University of Southern California. He served as teacher, coach, principal and superintendent of schools throughout Kansas. In 1955, Orville followed the call to "Go west young man," and moved his family, which now included their second daughter, Judith Lynn, to Southern California. Once there, he continued his career as a school administrator.

In a brief attempt at retirement, Orville and Maxine moved to the beautiful central coast of California in 1982. Once there, however, Orville was invited to accept the role of administrator of Paso Robles Christian School and later, North County Christian School in Atascadero. Throughout his life, Orville was the recipient of many honors. To name a few, he was awarded Principal of the Year (1965-1966); county runner-up in popularity contest; Hudson School District Outstanding Service Award (1970). He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, member of the evaluation committee-North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, Kansas State Governors' committee on curriculum, a member of evaluation committee for North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. He was elected to the School Board of Atascadero Unified School District in the late 1980's. His service organizations include: National Educators Fellowship, Blue Ribbon Civic Organization, Rotary Club (President) and Lions Club (President).

As a young child, Orville accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. From that time on, he sought to serve his God and his church faithfully. He was a committed member of the Church of the Nazarene, where he taught adult sunday school classes, sang tenor in many quartets and choirs, served as Sunday School superintendent, administered two Christian Schools, and sat on many church boards. He deeply desired to please his Heavenly Father.

Orville loved to express his abundant creativity in gardening and landscape design. He had a weakness for roses, as well as the deer who stole into his yard to eat them. He also loved to paint pictures on canvas. Besides painting landscapes, and floral subjects, he loved to paint farm scenes and churches, remembered from years past.

Following 57 years of marriage, Maxine preceded Orville in death in 1999. After renewing a high school friendship with Mary Louise McCaslin of Tulsa, Okla., they were married on Jan. 9, 2000. Mary added her four adult children, their spouses, children and grandchildren to the family.

Orville, a devoted and loving husband and father, is survived by his wife, Mary Louise of home; daughters, Karen Arrambide (Mike) of Colorado Springs, Co. and Judy Kafka (Jim) of Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Michelle Kleeberger, Todd Arrambide, Danielle Underwood, and Carrie Kafka; and nine great-grandchildren.

"May all who come behind us find us faithful" was Orville's most fervent desire. We found him faithful.

Visitation for Mr. Horst will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday at Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home, 3450 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Atascadero District Cemetery.