Christopher McDonald Horne, gifted teacher, treasured friend, environmental steward, outdoor enthusiast and dedicated community member, died November 21, 2007 in an automobile accident while on vacation in San Juan del Cabo, Mexico. He was a thoughtful and loving individual who will be missed dearly by all those he touched.
Chris was born September 2, 1972 in Durham, N.C., son of McDonald K. Horne, III and Martha Johnston Horne. He was a graduate of the St. Stephen's School in Alexandria (1990), The College of William and Mary (1994, BA, Biology), the Teton Science Schools' Graduate Program (1998) and Antioch College of New England (2001, MS, Environmental Sciences).
After graduating from college, Chris taught mathematics at St. Stephen's School for two years. He moved to Jackson in 1997 to attend the Teton Science Schools' Graduate Program, and then returned after completing his master's degree in 2001.
Chris was a founding faculty member of the Journeys School of Teton Science Schools, Wyoming's first Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade independent school. His energy, enthusiasm and talent were an integral part in the development of the innovative and challenging program and caring community that characterize the school today.
Chris was an inspired teacher of both math and science courses in the middle school, and he directed the entire middle school until the spring of 2007. He was instrumental in developing science curriculum, the new teacher mentoring program, advisory systems and community building initiatives. His passion for people and the natural world defined his work as an educator.
Chris served on the board of the Global Community Project and lled summer trips for the National Outdoor Leadership School. He took full advantage of the Jackson Hole environment and could be found paddling the Snake River, hiking in the Park or skiing the backcountry on any given day.
Chris was also quite active in the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. This past spring he traveled to Ecuador on a trip organized by the church to provide time and effort for Habitat for Humanity.
On June 9, 2007, he married Amanda Hullander, a valley resident for a number of years and formally of Apison, Tn., and also a faculty member at Journeys School.
This fall, Chris and Mandy moved to Cashiers, N.C. where Chris was the director of the Summit School, an innovative K -8 charter school.
Chris is survived by his wife, Mandy, Cashiers, N.C. and Apison, Tn.; parents, McDonald K. Horne, III and Martha J. Horne of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Peter Horne, Bellingham, Wa.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Linda Hullander, Apison; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Matt and Jenny Hullander and their daughter, Reese Hullander, all of Apison.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, in Alexandria, Va., and a service will be held in Cashiers, N.C. in the coming months.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Chris to The Summit School, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC 28717 or Type I Diabetes Research Organization, East Tennessee Branch, 6701 Baum Drive, Bldg. B, Suite 240, Knoxville, Tn. 37919.
Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, Tn.