Tom (William) Horner

Tom (William) Horner died peacefully on January 26, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 5, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

A life well lived; Tom had a curious, intellectual mind and a generous heart. He knew a little bit about pretty much everything, planting thick roots, and nurturing a strong family bond. He loved history, had a deep fondness for old movies and could deliver a killer drop shot on the tennis court.

Tom grew up in a very poor neighborhood near downtown Minneapolis. He spent his early years in unsupervised neighborhood play in Loring Park.

He started delivering newspapers at the age of nine. He attended Emerson Grade School, Jefferson Junior High School and studied drafting and architectural drawing at Vocational High School while working as a busboy and a cook’s helper.

Tom paid his way through the University of Minnesota on a work study program with Honeywell and often said going to college was the most important decision he ever made. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

His first post-graduate job was with Minnegasco as a sales engineer. He went on to become an application engineer and then a sales engineer with Rosemount Engineering Company and later as a manufacturer’s representative for Barry Controls.

Tom met and fell in love with Janis Burgess in 1961. Throughout their 60 years of marriage they shared a deep love of music, a sense of humor, devotion to family, and a tenacious work ethic, mixed in with a constant pursuit of fun and a healthy dose of skepticism. While raising their three children, Tom and Jan started The Horner Company, which specialized in industrial noise and vibration control.

He was a lifelong caretaker, providing support and life advice to his family and others, including inner city kids learning to play tennis and newly arrived immigrants.

Tom will be missed by his wife Janis (Burgess) Horner; his three children, Sandy Horner, Karen Mason (John), and Mark Horner (Jacqueline); his five grandchildren, Justin Horner, Luke Klatke, Alex Mason, Katie Mason and Mina Horner; sisters Nancy Mikesh (Jim) and Pat Horner (David Ekroth); and brother-in-law Don Burgess (Darlene); he was loved by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother David.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Loring Park; PO Box 52074; Minneapolis, MN  55402 or the Minneapolis InnerCity Tennis; Attn:  Laura Meyer, Business Manager; 4005 Nicollet Avenue S.; Minneapolis, MN  55409-1516 program.

A memorial service will be held at the Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery on Saturday February 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM.