By Jennifer Palmer
Staff Writer
As printed in The Oklahoman, March 30, 2008.

Destry Horton's family spent 23 days at the burn unit at Integris Baptist Medical Center while the Chickasha firefighter fought for his life.

The family is raising money to renovate the burn center's intensive care unit in memory of Horton, who died March 24, 2006. He was severely burned over half his body when he became trapped by a wildfire.

His mother, Jeri Thomas, said they wanted to find a way to repay the doctors and nurses who gave Horton excellent care while he was hospitalized. The idea to raise money for the burn center came during his hospital stay. "It's a perfect way to honor Destry," Thomas said.

Family members are seeking more than $500,000 in donations for the project; the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has agreed to match that amount. The money will be used to renovate the center's five-bed intensive care unit, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Horton's widow, Brandy, said she hopes the fundraiser will help upgrade the burn unit at Integris, so people will come there from out of state seeking the best care.

This article appeared in The Oklahoman, www.newsok.com, on March 30, 2008.