Iliana Z. Gamez /The Daily Dispatch

A person of great spirit and humble heart, Barry Horst came to Douglas in 2002 to make it the heartwarming city he now calls his home. Horst was born in Grand Rapids, MI just 9 months after Pearl Harbor. He lived in Michigan until the age of 17 when his family moved to Glendale, AZ in 1959. However, Horst resided in Glendale for only three months after he left high school in search of a new beginning and adventure.

Horst then found himself in Spokane, WA and then joined the U.S. Navy to find some stability. The Navy trained him as a Radar Operator, later he was sent to Vietnam on the smallest sea going ship they had at that time, the minesweeper. The minesweeper was designed to look for mines in the ocean and Horst's job was to navigate through mine fields, he served in these ships for 6 years. Horst says he didn't like being in the middle of a war, but he did love the ocean and would have made a career out of the service if it weren't for his Honorable Discharge.

After his service with the Navy ended, Horst married Victoria Brioso with whom he had two children, Arthur Levern and Natashya Horst. They were married for 7 years, their relationship moved along quickly in what Horst calls "a lovely romance with a lovely young woman." They met at a party at the L.A City College Student Union where Horst went to school. Through his relationship with Victoria, Horst got started in acting and was the lead actor in the Hollywood motion picture "The Assassin." The movie was filmed in Manila, Philippines in 1965, where they lived at the time. Horst said, "I was only 25 years old, it was fun but anytime you have such success it can cause a lot of problems as well."

Soon after in 1968 Horst moved back to Phoenix and returned to school. During 1971-1976 he attended Maricopa Technical College and received an Associate of Arts and registration as a Respiratory Therapist. He also became a Clinical Instructor for Respiratory Therapy. Horst also worked for Walter O. Boswell Memorial Hospital an Acute Care Hospital where he was Director of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services in Sun City, Phoenix. His 18 year medical service with these two organizations allowed him to help a lot of people and gain recognition. Not surprisingly, Horst continued to work in the medical field and in 1979 he became the Co-Founder, Vice President and CEO of Medical Health Plan, Health Care Services Organization. Horst also prospered in his education; in 1980 he received a Bachelor of Science-Health Services Administration from the University of Phoenix. Consequently, in 1989 Horst moved to Tucson where he founded Horst Home Inc. an Assisted Living Center that he managed for 12 years.

After all his year of medical experience and hard work, Horst felt it was getting close to retirement time and at the advice of two good friends he decided to return to school for a Masters degree. So in December of 2002 he completed a Master of Arts in Education and acquired his Arizona Teaching Certificate from the University of Phoenix in Tucson, AZ. That same year Horst moved to Douglas and began teaching Biology (Science) at Douglas High School where he is currently a teacher. Horst said, "I feel very honored to be teaching and feel it is something I should have been doing a long time ago. I enjoy my spending time at school with my students very much, they treat me very well." As an expression of his love for teaching Horst has a saying about Fridays that he likes to share with his fellow teachers, "Thank God it's Friday, it's only two days until Monday."

Aside from his teaching career and all his academic accomplishments, family is very important to Horst and he feels his four children; Arthur, Natashya, Scott and Brent Horst have given him great pride. Arthur a Lieutenant for the Riverside, CA Sheriff's Department has three sons; Brian age 18, Adam age 16 and Kyle age 14. Brian played in the Connie Mack World Series and got play of the game. He has an athletic scholarship in baseball from the University of California. Horst said, "All of Arthur's kids are talented and they're a grandfathers greatest joy." His daughter Natashya has one daughter, Samantha Sawyer age 13, who is very bright and currently the youngest college math student at Cochise College. Horst said, "She's my first granddaughter, she is the light of my eyes." His second son Scott lives in Douglas and works in construction. He has three children; Jesse age 11, Kayla age 8, and Caleb age 3. Horst said, "All of my grandkids are great, they are very sweet and caring."

Horst says people always question his move to Douglas. "I'm happier in my life here in Douglas than I've ever been in my life. I have great neighbors; the people here are friendly and peaceful." Horst says he came to Douglas because of the great need for teachers and his desire to teach and practice his Baha'I Faith. He likes the friendly atmosphere of Douglas and the opportunity it brings to meet a lot of people and make friends.

Horst describes himself as an affectionate, friendly and emotional individual who cares deeply about helping others in need. However, he is strict towards work ethics, very organized and is a dedicated person. His daughter Natashya said, "He is probably the kindest man you'll ever meet. He opens up his heart and his home to people that need him, he's the type of person who'd give you his last dollar if you needed it."

Horst said, "Of all the things I am grateful for, I am thankful for the life I've had and my family.."