May 8 started just like any other day for former Oxford Postmaster Truman Horton, but it soon turned into a special day he would never forget.
After having an 80th birthday dinner with his wife of 61 years, Jo Ann, and his two daughters, Horton was driven to the Oxford Post Office so his daughter could ‘wink, wink? get some stamps.
As his four children and two of his grandsons exited the building on E. Burdick St., he knew something was up. Horton’s daughter, Diane Rowe, had contrived the ultimate birthday gift for her dad ? a surprise flag dedication ceremony for his 20-plus years of service at the post office.
As his family surrounded him, current Oxford Postmaster Joe Wilson read special words off of a certificate presented to Horton for his dedication to the U.S. Postal Service.
‘You witnessed the community grow and prosper and played a major role in insuring that all new residents received uninterrupted mail delivery,? Wilson said as tears began to well-up in Horton’s eyes. ‘Congratulations, Truman Horton, and may you have many happy returns.?
Wilson then presented an American Flag that was flying outside of the post office to Horton as a gift.
Horton, who currently lives in Lapeer, was born and raised in Oxford. He met his wife in the seventh grade and they’ve been best friends ever since.
The Hortons have four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
When Horton got out of the navy in 1945, he began work with the Oakland County Road Commission for six years and then worked for nine years at American Aggregates in Oxford.
He joined the Oxford post office in 1960 as a letter carrier, became clerk in 1964 and was appointed as Postmaster in 1968 until he retired in 1987.
He received a silver pin and letter of commendation in 1985, but in a Leader article from May 1987, Horton stated his most prized possession was his appointment certificate signed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
But maybe the flag and certificate will now become his greatest accolade.
‘You don’t know how much this means to me,? he told Wilson and his family. ‘I feel honored to think that they wanted to do this after so many years.?