Ronald Lee Horne

Ronald Lee Horne, of Elizabethton, TN, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after a grueling 8-year battle with malignant metastatic melanoma. Born on July 31, 1958, in Kingsport, Tennessee, he was the son of the late James Lester Horne and Ruth (Parker) Horne.

He was a giving, loving, devoted, and dedicated son, brother, husband, father, grandpa, and friend; at heart he was a simple, honest, wholesome, unpretentious, free-spirited jokester who always strove to find a way to lift one’s spirits and leave them laughing. An avid dog lover, there was rarely a time in his life that he did not have a little four-legged buddy, or two, at his side. He will always be remembered for his big smile and soft calming voice. Ron was highly respected by his peers and beloved by all who knew him.

While only married a month before Ron’s diagnosis, the love shared between Ron and Marj was a once in a lifetime devotion to one another. They believed the Lord blessed them, placing them on a path and into each other’s lives for the years ahead. Together they built an amazing adventurous and challenging life filled with love and laughter. They had a relationship of true love, partnership, compassion, devotion, understanding and joy – something evident to all that knew them.

Ron is survived by his wife, Marjorie Kiger; children Ronald L. Horne II and wife Leslie (grandchildren Alyssa and Mackenzie); Meredith Burton and husband Lionel; (grandchildren Madison and Tre); Doug Kiger; Monica Kiger; sisters LeDelhia Hall and Tammy Horne; nephews and nieces James Hall and wife Chrystal, Brandon Hall, and Lindsey Hall. He will be remembered by many close friends and “chosen” family including Sandi Shapiro and Brandon Cole. He was preceded in death by brother-in-law Nelson Hall.

Ron served over a decade in the United States Air Force Reserves, he would often reminisce on times spent in England and Panama before his discharge in 1999. He had the utmost love for God, family, and country. An avid car enthusiast, he spent his recent years living vicariously through his sons and granddaughters in their own restoration efforts and project vehicles. Every moment spent being included in the process of these projects was cherished - although no car could ever compare to his beloved Chevy Nova. His love of music, vinyl records, guitar, and nights spent by the fireside on camping trips with family and friends remained to the end. Despite all his travels throughout the country, one place to always hold a special place in his heart, his home, is that of these old Smokey Mountains due to the fond memories they held - especially those of times and holidays spent in the family’s old log cabin in Kingsport.

We wish to thank all those that have stood by our side with all their words of encouragement and support over the years. We could not have made it through without you. We want to especially thank his team of dedicated physicians at Atrium, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Pierre Triozzi, Randall Reidner, Dr. Christina Cramer, and Dr. Stacy Quintera-Wolfe. We are most grateful for the amazing team at Ballad Cancer Center in Johnson City, specifically Dr. Alina Bhat, Dr. Bradley Beeler, and the rest of the team. Dr. Tander Simberloff at Ballad’s Palliative Care has been so supportive throughout, we could not have done this without you. We would be remiss without extending our heartfelt thanks, love, and admiration to Dr. Cynthia Partain for her support and assistance to us, her care and understanding were godsends. We can never forget Ron’s amazing angels that cared for him twice a week for the last several months at Ballad’s Cancer Center Infusion Lab – our beloved Amy and Pam – your love, hugs, and support kept us going. We love you all, you are family.

The family will receive friends and family to reminisce from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m.

Graveside services will follow Morrison Chapel Methodist Church in Kingsport.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his name to continue the research into this incurable disease. Help find a way to save a life with a donation to the cause or consider being the gift of life by signing up to be an organ donor. In roads have been made, he was proof of that. When he started his journey there was only a twenty-five percent chance of surviving to five years – and he made it to eight. Please donate to AIM at Melanoma, 5729 Lebanon Road, Suite 144-305, Frisco, TX 75034 or logon to Donate to AIM at Melanoma, https://support.aimatmelanoma.org/campaign/756519/donate