Brian Horais, Knoxville, TN

Brian John Horais passed away peacefully due to health complications on July 6, 2023 in Knoxville, TN. He was 73 years young and he left this earth far too soon. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cathy; their daughters (and spouses) Beth (Chris), Rebecca (Jeremy); four grandchildren Alva, Nora, Elliott and Oliver; and his brother, Alan.

Brian was born on September 12, 1949 to the late Walter and Leona Horais in El Paso, Texas. His father was a Captain in the US Marine Corps which allowed him the opportunity to experience life in various locations across the country growing up. The family eventually settled in Cincinnati, OH, where Brian graduated from Moeller High School. He had a well-rounded mind from a young age, which allowed him to excel in academics, music and art. These complementary skills would accompany him throughout his life, leading to early achievement when he was nominated to both the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy. He decided to attend the US Naval Academy, which would chart a course for a remarkable and memorable life.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. His pursuit of knowledge extended to graduate study at the prestigious Naval Postgraduate School where he went on to receive his Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1972. To further his business acumen later in his career, he enrolled in the University of New Haven and received a third degree for a Master of Business Administration in 1986.

In 1973, while still in the Navy, he began flight training in Pensacola, FL and during that time met a Navy nurse named Cathy. Once designated as a Naval Aviator in 1974 he flew the A6-E Intruder off of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy and U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Brian retired from the Navy Reserves as a Commander in 1992 and served in various positions supporting aerospace research and development programs culminating in a tour as a Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) Program Manager before his retirement in 2008. He holds two U.S. Patents in advanced sensor and weapons technologies and has published over 20 papers and articles in technical journals.

After the Naval Academy, motorcycles became another one of Brian’s passions. Cathy was a fan of Brian's motorcycles very early in their relationship. Motorcycling was a great outlet for him to relax and work on mechanical things. For over two decades while Brian and Cathy lived in northern Virginia, he was a member of the BMWBMW club and he went on many rides with Cathy that included Route 66 and a deluxe trip to Vancouver, BC.

In 2010 Brian translated his passion to never stop learning into notable contributions in the woodworking community, turning non-round multi-axis works of art. He was president of the East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild and a member of both the Smoky Mountain Woodturners and the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). He was a teacher, a published author for various magazines, and his creations were jury selected for many shows allowing him to establish himself within the community with a series of solo exhibits of his work. He will be remembered as a strong leader with a unique point of view in woodworking.

How do you write about a man who could do everything in the eyes of the people that loved him and knew him? You can’t. Words can’t do him justice. Of all the memories we have, he was; an adorable son; a loyal brother; a loving, humorous and adventurous husband; an inspiring, encouraging and supportive dad; an awesome grandpa; an aerospace engineer (aka - a rocket scientist); a pilot; a musician; a motorcyclist; an artist and a craftsman; a teacher; a motivator; and a man who encouraged others, challenging them to be their best selves. He knew how to work hard, play hard, and he touched the lives of everyone he met during all of the chapters of his life. You know how lucky you are to have made memories with Brian Horais, memories that will be cherished forever.