Altus "Butch" Samuel Menifee Jr.

A wonderful son, brother, husband and father. Altus Samuel Menifee Jr. made lasting impressions on many during his life. Born in Denver, Colorado on May 13, 1952, making the number 13 his favorite number, to Jane M Streator and Altus Samuel Menifee Sr. Starting the line of Altus’s as we know it. Growing up Altus, known by many as “Butch”, a nick name the nurses gave him shortly after his birth, due to his short, blonde hair. An Uncle later calling him Butchie Baby, both names stuck, and his little brother Bobby calling him Dutchie as he could not say Butchie. He was a sweet boy, telling stories of drinking coffee with sweetened condensed milk with his grandmother, playing with his cousins Rodney and Jackie Long, and loving stories about his mother and younger brother Bobby growing up.

Altus moved around a lot as a child. In 1960 he and his mother Jane moved to Los Angeles, California, Then Riverside, California, where he attended Grammar and Jr High School, eventually ending up in San Bernardino, California, where he remained through high school. Big man on campus would be his domain, speaking of a quote “hardly ever being in class because he was busy running the school”. Involved in pretty much everything, Altus excelled in track and field, golf, basketball, debate, and even modeled for “Harris’ Department Store. After High School, he attended San Bernardino Valley Collect where he got is AA degree, then on to Colorado State University Pueblo where he pursued studies in Psychology. His studies were cut short when he was drafted into the military in 1979 where he chose to enlist in the United States Air Force. Traveling the world throughout his career in the military was one of the highlights of his life. He met many people from different cultures and recalled many stories and experiences he had, which he would fondly talk about. He attained the rank of Sergeant, finishing his Military career at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California where he would finish his military career after serving four years.

He then moved back to San Bernardino, California to help take care of his mother Jane. During his time back he met the love of his life Ann Cross and they married on July 1, 1987 on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Two years later they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Teal Elyse. Altus loved being a father, and he was more than a father, he was a Dad. Five years later he welcomed his son, Altus Samuel III, to which he was so ecstatic to now have a daughter and a son, “the best of both worlds'' “The Millionaires Choice.” as he would often say. Altus loved spending time with his children. Even coaching their sports teams growing up, soccer to basketball and track. He loved his children and was always at every game and event cheering them on, being their biggest fan.

Altus went on to work a multitude of jobs, working at a Boys Home in Whitewater, California, where he was able to use his AA degree in Psychology. Using those skills he was able to touch many lives and mentor the boys in order to help them to reach their greatest potential. Later working for the City of Redlands and San Bernardino in the department of Parks and Recreation, Altus established many operational traditions that still stand today, including The Ollie McDonald Senior Talent Show, Curated the first art gallery at the San Bernardino Culture Center, and other events like Trip Around The World. He was particularly proud of The All Children’s Choir. He left the City for a temporary position in sales with Affirmed Medical and then found A.R.C., The Association for Retarded Citizens where he worked for five years. There he recruited adults for the jobs within the program and met his dear friend Ron Allevato. With his help Altus eventually started a new business, Probe Custom Golf, where he sold and made golf clubs, another big love of his, Golf! This led him to an opportunity with a new company, Sport Court of the Inland Empire, where he would dominate sales in the Inland Empire.

“Sell or Die” became his motto, and he went on to be the number one salesman, earning “Rookie of the Year” in his first year. A true student of the game, as he would say, Altus did everything it took to understand the business inside and out. He took great pride in his effort and knowledge he obtained from Sport Court. While designing and building backyard memories with game courts and putting greens, he met many celebrities and families building courts for them to celebrate his two favorite things, sports and family. After (15) years, he left to another up and coming business called Snap Sports, keeping with building courts & putting greens for families.

Eventually he went into the field of entertainment. Yes, a 3rd love. Creating Runaway Bay Filmworks where he worked with his long time childhood friend, Reggie Brown. The two filmed a multitude of short documentaries and within that creative outlet Altus wrote a screenplay on his quest to make a movie. He later created Endlessloop Entertainment and held several events at The Fox Event center in Redlands, showcasing events like Casablanca, Young Frankenstein and bringing the adventures of Spike and Mike back to the Inland Empire.

Altus and his family resided in Redlands, California for the remainder of his life, until his passing on July 21, 2022 at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Teal, son Altus III, and brother Clarence “Bobby” Johnson III. He will always be loved and remembered. When you go to think of him remember his laugh and cherish the sound that touched so many.

Rest in Love