Memorial funds for Peter Horton from AGS 1990

Peter Horton was a bright light among 400 of us bright young people at Arkansas Governor’s School in the summer of 1990. He had a knack for seeing good in people and giving us his full attention. Peter was excited by possibilities, creativity of all flavors, and the weirdness that kept life interesting. He was comfortable telling friends, “I love you,” because he truly did.

Oftentimes he would wrap his long arms around someone, even if they’d just met. It wasn’t creepy or pushy. It was lightness, an embrace of their specialness. He contained sadness and sometimes anger, too (especially about people abusing power or neglecting to care for people who needed a little extra help). But overall he was goofy and fun, welcome in all sorts of circles, and full of insights and questions. Peter was well-liked, open and curious about others, and made a positive difference for many of us at that crucial moment in our 17-year-old lives. And it’s a fact that AGS meant a lot to him and had a lasting resonance in his life.

Peter died May 1 of neurological complications brought on by a recent Covid infection. He was hospitalized almost three weeks, some of it in ICU and on a ventilator. His wife, Beth, who is a public schoolteacher, and their two children were the true loves of his life. The family’s out-of-pocket medical costs, funerary expenses and the loss of Peter’s income mean a gift of any amount from his AGS friends will be meaningful to Beth and their children and very much welcome. Please chip in a bit if you’re able.

If you want to a leave note for his family, or tell them a Peter memory you cherish, we’ll

pass them on to the three surviving Hortons when we deliver the gift. ❤️