Alton Francis Minter, GMSC, Ret. Navy-World War II and Korean War Veteran. Born May 18, 1919 in Spickard, Mo., he passed away July 11, 2007 in Reno, Nev. Alton was a sixth generation American, his ancestry predates the American Revolution.
Following a two-year Army stint, Alton and his younger brother, Allred, joined the Navy in 1940. Before the war”s end, four Minter brothers were serving their country. Alton remained in the Navy and served on the heavy cruiser, USS Helena in the Korean War. He later served on the icebreaker, USS Montrose, making trips to both the Arctic and Antarctica. Upon Alton”s retirement from the Navy in 1962, he was employed at the University of California-Nuclear Reactor Lab, until retiring again in the late 70”s.
Alton was a 45-year resident of Middletown (Anderson Springs). He remained active in various veterans” organizations (VFW and USS Helena Shipmates). His passionate involvement in Local Civic organizations included: Founding member of ARTHCAW (today, Anderson Springs Comm. Ser. Dist.) – Director for Water Protection; LCAQMD – expert Witness for Air and Noise Quality; Founding member of Geysers Air Monitoring Programs (GAMP) – Steering Comm. – for Geothermal facilities Air Emissions.
In his leisure time, Alton had been a Judo/Jujitsu instructor, volunteer at the senior center teaching macram? and rope-knot-weaving, Alton loved and researched American History, and he was an avid player, student and teacher of Chess.
Alton is survived by his son, George Alton Minter (Joyce) of Sparks, Nev.; grandson, Daniel C. Minter (Jennifer) and four great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Natalie, Erik and Aidan of Lawrenceville, Ga.; brother J.B. Alvan Minter (Peggy) of Palm Desert; special nephew, Tex R. Minter and family of Portsmouth, Va.; stepdaughter, Barbara Reis and granddaughter, Georgana Reis of Foster City; and special granddaughter, Grace Hendrickson (Greg) of Atlanta, Ga.; and numerous other nephews and nieces. Alton leaves behind many great, longtime and wonderful friends and neighbors in the Anderson Springs (Middletown) community.
Alton was preceded in death by his wife, Elvira in 1994 and later wife, Olga in 2006; they, as Alton described, were his best friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a Disabled Veteran”s group of your choice in Alton”s name, he would be greatly flattered.
A memorial service and celebration of Alton”s life (Please bring a memory to share) to be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 at United Methodist Church in Middletown, with reception to follow.
Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com.
(Published in the Record-Bee on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.)
