Jeff was the only child of Valon "Police" Van Horn and Elizabeth Jeffrey Van Horn. He grew up in both McMahan and Lockhart, graduating from LHS in 1964. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned two degrees - a BA in psychology in 1969 and a JD in law in 1973.
Being in private practice in both Jasper and Luling, he joined the District Attorney‘s Office for the 22nd Judicial District in 1977. In September, 1981, the Legislature created the office of Criminal District Attorney for Caldwell County, and he was appointed by the Governor as the first Criminal DA of Caldwell County. He served until his retirement in 1990.
