James Lawrence Horak Jr., 56, of Pensacola died Aug. 3, 2013 in Lumberton, Miss. in a skydiving accident.
Jim retired from the Army Special Forces as a major after 28 years, served as a flight surgeon and was a veteran of Desert Storm.
He was employed as a physician’s assistant in the urology department at the VA Outpatient Clinic for 30 yrs.
He loved aviation, and held a multi-engine commercial pilot rating.
Jim also was a Skydiving Tandem Master, an AFF Instructor and an official jumper for the Navy Blue Angels Air Show, totaling more than 8,000 jumps.
He graduated from Catholic High School with honors, attended the University of South Alabama, Pensacola Junior College, the University of Oklahoma (PA school) and earned his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska.
He was very involved in the Church of the Holy Spirit as a Eucharist Minister and Prayer Group Leader. He truly lived by the faith that he ministered to others.
Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother.
Jim leaves behind his beloved wife, Debbie Horak; children, Audrey (Jared) Lang, Jimmy Horak III and Christopher Horak; his loving parents, Jim Horak Sr. and Joyce Horak; and siblings, Dean (Terri) Horak and Virginia (Dave) Quadrini.
The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, followed by the funeral mass at 11 a.m.
Burial following the service will be at Prince of Peace Cemetery in Elberta.
To honor Jim’s memory, please donate to Alpha Center, P.O. Box 20880, Pensacola, FL 32524-0880, or to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul c/o Holy Spirit Church, 10650 Gulf Beach Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32507.
Arrangements by Oak Lawn Funeral Home, Pensacola.
