Donald Lee Hornback

Donald (Don) Lee Hornback, age 79 of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on Friday afternoon April 19, 2024.  Don was born on April 3, 1945 in Princeton, Indiana.

Don married Ladine Fay Robinson, April 16, 1966 in Kokomo, Indiana. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ladine “Deannie” Hornback of Indianapolis, Indiana.  

Don is also survived by his three children: son Brice (wife Paulette) Hornback of Crawfordsville, Indiana, daughter Latricia (husband Jeff) Tewell of Indianapolis, IN and daughter Elaine “Lanie” (husband Francisco “Javi”) Sanchez of Indianapolis, Indiana.

His grandchildren: Amanda (wife Megan) McClaran, Jonathan Hornback, Kyle Hornback, Jessica Hornback, Reina Valdivia Sanchez, Sophia Valdivia Sanchez, Kaeden Sanchez, Sariella Sanchez, and Lanie Sanchez.  He had one great grandson Elijah by Jessica Hornback.

A celebration of life with service and full military honors will be held on Monday, May 6,2024 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Elaine “Lanie” Sanchez’s home: 9319 Sargent Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana 46256.

When Don was 15, he was living in House Springs, MO.  Don met his soulmate, Deannie, on International Morse Code using his call sign W8MEZ and she answered using her call sign KN9WYW, Deannie was 16.  They have been together ever since.  One of their ongoing hobbies they shared was HAM Radio and their current call signs are N9KF and KA8MAW.  

Don enlisted in the Army on March 16, 1964 and earned the rank of SPC/E5 with an MOS, 31K20, and was assigned to the Army Security Agency (ASA) serving in Germany for 3 years.  His wife Deannie resided with him in Grebenstein, Germany, where they had their son.   Don was a proud Vietnam Veteran. Don traveled extensively around the world with Deannie and some of their favorite places were Switzerland, Hawaii and Italy.  They toured Europe for their honeymoon.  

Don graduated with a BSEE from Purdue University in 1972.  He also earned his MBA in Organizational Development at Indiana University in 1990.  Don has several Patents filed, including a brainwave monitor that was displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL and it won the 500 award for Best Inventions of 1976.  He was involved in many firsts with Technology, Industry, and the Internet.  Some of these designs include the Heathkit digital clock that was displayed at Disney World and the Heathkit Weather Computer and many others that "needed the engineer included". He was an assistant professor at Ivy Tech teaching Engineering students.

Don was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experience with his entire family as well as the community. He was a leader, visionary, and teacher to everyone he met.

Elaine “Lanie” his daughter and Co-founder Pathway International, “Daddy was compassionate.  He always put others before himself including his every day work life.  He co-founded Pathway International, serving our community, helping thousands of children and families.  His impact and legacy will carry on not only by those closest to him, but through the generational impact his organization and leadership inspired.  He changed lives and continues changing lives for the better even beyond his passing through a youth group that has been running for 7 years, inspiring and directing spirited at risk adolescent youth.   That is his legacy…Inspiring Spirits.”

At 65 Don obtained his 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo.  He loved his family and they were his favorite past time.  Don was a member of Kawanis and the American Legion post 510.