Robert Melson Minter, Jr. was born on October 26, 1930, in Baytown, Texas and passed away at the age of 93 on May 10, 2024. He was the son of Robert Melson Minter, Sr. and Juanita Caroline Gay Minter. RM, as he was known to friends and family, attended the University of Houston, where he graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry from the College of Arts and Sciences. With members of his family, he operated a dairy, egg farm and the Minter Cleaners in Old Baytown. After the closing of the cleaning business, he joined ExxonMobil in Baytown and rose to Operations Supervisor before his retirement in 1991.
RM married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Kirkpatrick, entering into a loving marriage that lasted almost 43 years, until her untimely death in 1995. That relationship produced 3 sons, Allen David, Donald (Don) Brian, and John Wilson. He was also God Parent to two beautiful girls, Carla Hufford Fast, and Lisa Hufford Loftin. After Mary Lou passed away, he was married to Margaret Holloway, until her death, in a marriage lasting nearly 26 years.
RM was proud to be a Mason and followed his father into the Goose Creek N0. 1192 Masonic Lodge of Texas. He was a Master Mason in good standing for nearly 67 years. His masonic ring never left his hand.
RM was an early member of St. Mark's Methodist Church, and later joined Central Baptist of Baytown, where he served as a Deacon.
RM set a great example for his family including hard work, integrity, scholarship, and serving others. To say his hands were never idle is an understatement. He enjoyed all manner of mechanical work, having restored a Ford Model A and building his own mini solar power station.
RM and Mary Lou enjoyed genealogy and spent many years documenting family history. Their travels took them to Colfax County and Van Zandt County, Texas and several states along the east coast. RM was a supporter of local Texas history with roots tied back to the arrival of our first ancestor to the east Texas community of Pine Forest in 1855.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Samuel Alfred Minter, and his sister, Gloria Gay Sandell. He is survived by his sons; Allen David Minter, and wife Donna Gayle; Donald (Don) Brian Minter, and his wife Linda Diane; and John Wilson Minter, and his wife Liz Macinas. He was "Paw Paw" to his grandchildren, Victoria, Kristin, Ashley, Bobby, and Michael, and great grandchildren Braden, Margo, Hudson, and Bennett.
Visitation will be May 17, 2024 from 10-11am, at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr. Baytown, TX 77521. The funeral will follow at 11am. Graveside services will be held on May 17, 2024 immediately following the funeral service at Earthman Memory Gardens 8624 Garth Rd. Baytown, TX 77521.
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