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Cynthia Sue
(O'Neill) Hornburg
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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1964 Roar
R. L. Turner High School
Carrollton, Dallas Co., Texas
Senior Class |
OBITUARY
 Cynthia
Sue Hornburg
August 31, 1946 – December 15, 2024
Cynthia Sue Hornburg of Boerne, TX, died on December 15, 2024, of
complications from dementia at the age of 78. She was born on August 31,
1946, to Donald C. and Verna M. O’Neill in Dallas, TX. She was the fifth
of nine children. Her father died when she was six years old, so she was
raised by her mother and four siblings and assisted in raising four
others.
Cynthia grew up in Carrollton, TX, and graduated from R.L. Turner High
School in 1964. She played in the high school band, was a majorette, and
a member of the National Honor Society. While a sophomore she began
dating Hal Hornburg which began a relationship of 62 years, including 56
years of marriage. Following high school, Cynthia attended North Texas
State in Denton, TX, and graduated in three years. She taught junior
high school math while Hal completed college at Texas A&M. They married
in June 1968, and moved to Lubbock, TX, where Hal, a second lieutenant
in the USAF, began pilot training at Reese AFB. The following year
Cynthia returned to teaching in Dallas while Hal was assigned to Viet
Nam. In 1970 they moved back to Reese AFB where Hal was an instructor
pilot and Cynthia returned to teaching. While there, Cynthia was awarded
her master’s degree in math and secondary education from Texas Tech
University. Their first son, Chris, was born in Lubbock in 1973. In
1975, the Hornburgs received orders to RAF Lakenheath, England, and
their second son, Kevin, was born there in 1976. Following a tour in
Germany, they returned to the USA and were stationed at Langley AFB, VA.
There, Hal served in a myriad of assignments as a fighter pilot,
personnel officer and finally as an F-15 squadron commander. To fully
support Hal’s command, Cynthia retired from teaching and began a decades
long blessing of mentoring the wives of junior officers and airmen. That
opportunity continued until January 2005, when they retired from the
USAF after 36 ˝ years of service. At Hal’s official retirement, Cynthia
was presented three awards for exceptional public service from the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Army and the
Secretary of the Air Force.
Cynthia lived to serve others. Her mantra was "God first, others second,
me third". In retirement she was a constant participant in her bible
study, trained as a Stephen Minister, helped prepare meals for “Taking
It to The Streets”, a mission to feed the homeless in San Antonio, and
kept the oven on, baking countless cookies and pastries for church and
community activities. She served as an advisor and vice president to her
favorite charity, Segs4Vets, which restored mobility to disabled
veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her hobbies included stained
glass, travel, entertaining and gardening. She loved the beauty of God’s
creation.
Cynthia did much but shunned the limelight and deflected credit. She
worked in the shadows, but her light shown bright and was undeniable.
Her accomplishments and humility were admired by all she encountered.
Hal never heard her speak an unkind word about anyone. In her latter
years she began to show signs of dementia but functioned fully for as
long as she could. She lived her last 28 months at the Franklin Park
Boerne retirement facility where she received wonderful and
compassionate care. That care was magnificently augmented by three
angels from Embrace Hospice, Penny Coats, Darla King and Jane Blomqvist.
They were like family to the Hornburgs, and Jane was with them until
Cynthia was healed and redeemed.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Donald
and Tim. She is survived by her husband,
General Hal M. Hornburg (USAF, Ret), sons Lt Cols Christopher
(Katie) and Kevin Hornburg, (USAF, Ret), sisters Frances Wolf, Roberta
Beebe (Bill), Diane Lawrence (Jody), Peggy Montgomery, Patricia Carlton
(David) and Margaret O’Neill. Her grandchildren are CJ, Maddy Dunham
(Tomas), Elise, Dean, Desmond and Vivian. She loved them dearly. A
celebration of her life will be held at Spring Creek United Methodist
Church in Fair Oaks Ranch on January 18, 2025, at 11am. Interment will
occur at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin on a later date. |
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