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 ½ 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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