Virgel E. Horn, Jr. (known to close family as Puggin) passed peacefully from this earth into the hands of the Lord on Thursday, August 26, 2021, in Center, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 30, 2021, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Watson & Sons Chapel.  Graveside service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Rest Haven in Rockwall.

Virgel was born October 26, 1942, in Center, Texas, to parents, Virgil E. Horn Sr. and Mildred M. (Andrews) Horn.  He was raised on a farm in Nacogdoches County near the community of Melrose. He attended Melrose Elementary school and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1961.  He attended SFASU on a scholarship and graduated in 1965 with majors in physics and math.  From there, he went to graduate school at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Instrumental Science. (This was during the Vietnam War.)  He joined the Air Force in 1967, going to OCS at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, becoming an Air Force intelligence officer specializing in battlefield intelligence. He spent the next 30 years on active and reserve duty, serving during Vietnam and Desert Storm, retiring in 1997 as Lt. Col.  

After active duty, Virgel attended the University of Texas at Dallas, getting a Master’s degree in computer science. He became a software engineer, working approximately 35 years with Texas Instruments, E Systems, and Raytheon.  Virgel had a top secret military clearance working on top secret military defense contracts.

In 1978, Virgel met and married the love of his life, Cheryl E. Wesson.  The marriage produced one child, a son by the name of Jeffrey.  Cheryl and Jeff both preceded Virgil in death.  He enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife and son and also loved anything church related.  Virgil was a member of New World United Methodist Church in Garland.

Virgel is survived by sisters, Lamerl Yancey of Tyler, Texas and Linda Borders and husband Fred of Center, Texas; brother, Edward L. Horn and wife Wanda of Blackjack Community and Ronnie Horn of Center, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Horn; son, Jeffery Horn; parents, Virgil E. Horn Sr. and Mildred M. Andrews Horn; and brothers, Harvey Horn and James Horn.

In lieu of flowers, family would prefer donations made to a cancer treatment facility of their choice, to Habitat for Humanity, his church, or a charity of choice.

Virgel was best remembered by his cousin as being “brilliant and kind”.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com