Obituary of Richard Horton, Jr.

Life Story Richard Horton Jr. entered this life on May 16, 1948 in Norfolk, Virginia as the son of Richard Horton Sr., and Elsie Bruce Washington Roosevelt Horton. He was the youngest child of five. His three older brothers died in childhood. When he was nine, his mother died, and his sister Joyce raised him along with her four children. Richard completed high school in Norfolk, graduating from Booker T Washington High School. He then left for Kentucky and joined the Job Corps. Later, with the encouragement of his sister Joyce he relocated to Camden, New Jersey to get out of Norfolk and find better vocational prospects. He stayed with a family friend until he found a job working for PSE&G and got his own apartment. He worked for PSE&G for many years before being hired by the State of New Jersey Correctional system in 1981. He worked in many facilities throughout the state but spent the bulk of his career at Riverfront State Prison in Camden, NJ. While there he was an outspoken advocate for the union membership against management. He was elected Shop Steward and then Institutional Vice President. In July of 1997 when Senior Correction Officer Baker was killed from stab wounds inflicted by an inmate, Richard was one of the many union officials who coordinated the state-wide lockdown until the union’s demands for protective vests were met by Gov. Whitman’s administration. He retired from his post circa 2005 before the prison closed in 2009. Richard and Adelia Bazemore met while attending classes at Philadelphia Bible College and were married in September 1971. From this union came three children: Adrienne, (Still born), Richard III and Joseph Bruce. He attended New Mickle Baptist Church where he had a youth ministry. He loved taking the young teens to do door-to-door evangelism and to local events both Christian and social. He had weekly Bible Study and Prayer Meetings in his home where his neighbors and the young teens attended. After joining several churches, He and Adelia settled their membership at Mount Calvary (under the leadership of Reverend Harris) where Richard, III was baptized and their youngest son Joseph was blessed and later Baptized. Until his transition, he considered Mt. Calvary to be his church and either brought or sent his offering. He was a devoted father and dearly loved his sons. Richard was an advocate for education and insisted on their academic achievement in the Camden City Public Schools they attended. He closely followed their school events, faithfully attending their football games, chess matches, track and field meets and chaperoning their dinner dances. He was often one of the few fathers seen at parent – teacher conferences. Richard developed a personal relationship with all of his sons’ teachers, school administrators and even the dietitians/ lunch aides (to ensure his sons were eating proper, nutritious foods). He encouraged them to join the Cub and Boy Scouts of America program under the direction of Deacon Quinton Joyner and insisted they participate in church activities. Richard’s goal was to make his boys Christian gentlemen. Although he was an austere, no non-sense parent he provided for all of his children’s needs and tried to give his sons some of their wants. He shared with them his appreciation of travel, literature, film and hospitality. He was kind to people he employed and often told his son that he gave enjoyment to himself and employment to others. He enjoyed guests and was a generous host. He was also considerate of the hospitality of others as a guest Richard’s motto was, “It is the height of good manners to know when to leave.” Richard’s End of Watch came December 10th 2016. He leaves to remember his legacy his wife Adelia, his two sons Richard III, and Joseph Bruce as well as his nieces, nephew and host of cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Richard Sr, mother Elsie Bruce his siblings and daughter.