James Monroe "Roe" Horton Jr., a member of the elite Darby's Rangers in World War II and a prisoner of war for more than 15 months, died Friday at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead after a brief illness. He was 89.

Mr. Horton, who grew up in Morgan County, was drafted into the Army in 1943 at age 20.

While training in heavy weapons, he volunteered to become a member of the First Ranger Battalion, known as Darby's Rangers after leader William Orlando Darby.

The Rangers entered the Italian city of Anzio in January 1944. Mr. Horton was among those captured by German soldiers. He was in a prisoner of war camp in Germany when the war ended in 1945.

Mr. Horton was a retired construction worker and former employee of Kingsford Charcoal Co., according to Morehead's Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.

He belonged to the Church of God and often sang at funerals, church services and revivals. Mr. Horton was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ruth Evans Horton, two sons and three daughters.

Visitation is after 5 p.m. Monday at Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lane-Stucky-Gray. Burial with full military honors will be at New Sill Cemetery at Haldeman in Rowan County.

Jack Brammer: (502) 227-1198. Twitter: @BGPolitics. Blog: Bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com.