This obituary has been added to our website as a courtesy to the Kermit Horne family. Kermit was known in the community back in the 60's for having built some of the first motels at the SR 6 & I-75 interchange just as the Interstate was being built. He built the restaurant Coach and Horses (leased later by Milton Hitson). Kermit was the last living sibling of the Horne family. He was the beloved patriarch of the family. His local relatives are niece, Serena Creech (Gerald) and nephew, Richard Williams (Juana).

Mr. Kermit Ray Horne, Sr., 87, of Lake City, passed away on Saturday morning, March 20, 2021 at the Lake City VA Medical Center after an extended illness. He was born in Tampa, Florida, on January 14, 1934 to the late Claude Judson Horne and Ruby Wynn Horne and spent most of his life in the Hamilton and Columbia County areas. He was a US Air Force Veteran and was a member of Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City.

Having grown up on a farm in Hamilton County near the banks of the Suwannee River, after the Air Force, he ventured into the business world starting out as a door-to-door insurance agent. He progressed to owning his own agency, then launched a real estate business, buying and selling farms across the state of Florida and eventually developing communities in Columbia and Polk Counties (Westwood Acres, Southwood Acres, Eastside Village, and Nature's Edge (Lake Wales)). He also served as President of the Jaycee's here in Lake City. In addition to his long real estate career, he built and managed a number of motels and hotels. One of his proudest accomplishments was successfully launching and operating the World Inn hotel built on adjoining property to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista in 1972. His business career led him to having associates and friends across the globe, including in Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Throughout his life, he always had a strong bond to family and friends in Lake City and the surrounding communities and considered it his home.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Annie Kerce Horne; sons, Ray (Susan) Horne and Joe (Liliana) Horne; daughters, Cathy Horne and Patti Horne (Billy) Bass. Six grandchildren along with extended family members and friends also survive.

He is preceded in death by his siblings, Bobby Horne, Russ Horne, Alethia Williams, Wanda DeSandro and Dorothy Horne.

Funeral services for Mr. Horne were conducted on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in the Hopeful Baptist Church with Dr. Billy Young and Rev. Paul Day Sr. officiating. Interment followed in the Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations please be considered to the Hopeful Baptist Church General Fund, 289 SE Hopeful Dr, Lake City, FL, 32025 or to the Corinth Christian Academy, 7042 SW 41st Ave, Jasper, FL, 32052.