Former CFO president dies at 87

Photo provided by Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc.

Jan Horton was CFO's first employee, joining the organization in 1988 as executive director.

Jan Horton, the first employee and leader of Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., has died at age 87.

A memorial Facebook post from CFO cited a brief illness for her death on Sunday.

Horton joined CFO in 1988, first serving as executive director before becoming president in 1993. She held that role until her 2003 retirement. Founded in 1973, CFO had been a volunteer agency exclusively until hiring Horton.  

"The growth of the CFO was just one of Jan's accomplishments as a community leader," the Facebook post reads. "She will be greatly missed, but Springfield and the greater Ozarks region are better places because of her."  

CFO, which started with $1.7 million in assets, grew to $52.5 million by the time Horton exited the organization, according to the post. Today, its assets exceed $370 million, with affiliate foundations in more than 50 communities.  

Horton was named the 1998 Springfieldian of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, according to past reporting.

She was one of the founding members of the organization that would become the Junior League of Springfield and served on numerous boards, including Leadership Springfield and Mercy Springfield Communities’ regional advisory group.

Horton in 2003 was succeeded at CFO by Gary Funk, who led the organization until 2010. Brian Fogle since has served as president.