Fred Minton Jr., 84, died peacefully October 13, 2006, at his home in Beaumont, surrounded by his family and caregivers.
Fred was born in Paris, Texas, on July 22, 1922. When he was still a baby, his family moved to Beaumont. His father became the first manager of the Jefferson Theater and later, director of theaters for the Jefferson Amusement Company. Fred’s lifelong love of classic film was instilled by his father’s career.
Fred graduated from Beaumont High School in 1939, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. During World War II, he served with distinction in the Army Corps of Engineers, clearing jungle and building landing strips on the Pacific front, allowing American forces to advance across the Pacific to victory. After the war, he married his first love, Mary Helen Moore. He resumed his education at Texas A&M, earning his Bachelors of Architecture degree in 1950, and becoming a licensed architect in 1954. During his years as an architect for Dickson, Dickson and Associates in Beaumont, he designed the Pig Stand on Calder Avenue and invented the portable school building.
Fred spent the remainder of his career in Houston with Pearland Industries before coming home to Beaumont. Fred was happy to be back in Beaumont among his lifelong friends. He enjoyed his Friday “Lunch Bunch” outings and organized a social group for older couples which he named S.T.A.M.P.S. (Second Time Around Married Persons). A gifted dancer, he loved Big Band music and dancing with his "Sweet Patootie."
Fred was a devoted and active alumnus of Beaumont High School and Texas A&M, and hated when the Aggies lost a game. His friendliness and sunny personality endeared him to all. He never lost his zest for life or his passion for learning. He followed his father’s advice to "learn something new every day." Fred had a lifelong passion for airplanes and automobiles. A skilled model airplane builder, he constructed precisely accurate scale models from scratch. At the time of his death, he was planning to build one last masterpiece. Fred had an unwavering faith in God. His positive attitude and great sense of humor enabled him to meet his illness with courage and grace. As he always said, “I’ve lived a great life."
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 47 years, Mary Helen Moore Minton, and his niece, Mary Catherine Edwards. His survivors include Marjorie Hunter Peterson Minton, his wife of 12 years; son, Scott Moore Minton and wife Shelly; two grandchildren, Shelby and Brock Minton; sister, Mary Ann Minton Edwards and husband Lum Edwards Jr.; nephew, Lum Edwards III; niece, Allison Ann Edwards Brocato and husband Jim; four great-nieces and great-nephews; and his extended stepfamily.
Fred was comforted in his final days by his entire extended family, as well as his skilled and loving caregivers, Marie Garrett, Shelia Patterson, Joyce Charlot, and Brenda Ardoin.
Serving as pallbearers are Lum Edwards, Jr., Lum Edwards III, Tom Peterson, Keith Peterson, Boyd Wells, and John Wells. Honorary Pallbearers are the distinguished members of the Friday Lunch Bunch.
A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday, October 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont, Texas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2006 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 475 North Eleventh Street, with Reverend William Manger officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas.
Contributions in Fred’s memory may be made to the Southeast Texas A&M Foundation, P. O. Box 22902, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or Southeast Texas Hospice, P. O. Box 2385, Orange, Texas 77631-2385.
