“Luke [Horton] was diagnosed with spinal cord cancer when he was 7 years old. He was a tough fighter and fought bravely through 13 years of surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy,” Joe Horton, Luke’s father, said. “Despite these challenges, Luke's spirit remained unbroken. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and relaxing on the lake.”

Luke also made an indelible mark in his job. “Luke worked for the Financial Equipment Company (FEC) for 12 years as an inventory manager,” Joe mentioned, “where he implemented many cost-saving procedures that left a lasting impact on the company.”

Mr. Joe Horton, chief executive officer of the FEC, recently established the Luke Horton Memorial Scholarship with the Chickasaw Foundation. This new scholarship will be available on the 2025-2026 comprehensive application for Chickasaw higher education students majoring in any field, but with a preference for those pursuing a career in information technology.

After Luke passed away, Horton desired to pay tribute to him in some form. “After his passing, we wanted to honor his legacy with a scholarship,” Joe said. “Luke was a remarkable individual whose life embodied the values of integrity, perseverance, and generosity— qualities we hope to inspire in students through the Luke Horton Memorial Scholarship.”

Horton continued: “His passion for learning and his commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. The Luke Horton Memorial Scholarship was created to support students in their pursuit of education and to encourage the qualities that Luke exemplified.”

Mr. Horton chose to partner with the Chickasaw Foundation because of its mission. “We chose the Chickasaw Foundation as our partner because of their dedication to education, community, and cultural preservation. FEC’s 37-year relationship with the Chickasaw Nation and their contributions to the community make this partnership a perfect fit.”

“We are honored to work with the Chickasaw Foundation to continue Luke’s legacy by supporting students and strengthening our community,” Mr. Horton continued. “Thank you for helping us celebrate Luke’s life and make this scholarship a reality.”