Cory Horton, Owner of Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club, Passes Away After Cycling Accident

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., May 16. TENNESSEE’S swimming community is in mourning after the death of Cory Horton, the owner of the Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club and the coach of St. George Episcopal High School. Horton passed away last Thursday, after being involved in a cycling accident on Tuesday. He was 35 years old.

According to newspaper reports, Horton was riding his bike around noon on Tuesday when he began to be passed by a tractor towing a piece of land-leveling equipment. A motorist behind the tractor said that Horton’s bike began to wobble as the land-leveler passed and Horton fell under the rear wheels of the equipment. No charges have been filed.

On Sunday, a memorial service was held at St. George’s, where hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of Horton. Prior to the memorial service, about 100 individuals took part in a bike ride to St. George’s that honored Horton. Recently, Horton had returned to triathlon competition.

"His death leaves a void in this community that cannot be filled," William Taylor, the St. George's Head of School, wrote in a letter to students last week. "In time, though, many happy memories of his passionate commitment to swimming, St. George's Independent Schools, the Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club and, most importantly, the young people with whom he worked will begin to assuage our pain and sadness."

The Memphis Thunder is the club that produced Gabrielle Rose, a two-time Olympian. Horton is survived by his wife, Terie Box, two sisters, Jill Carpenter and Ginn Cheatham, and a brother, Kirby Horton.

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