Larry Dean Mingus

DECATUR - North Pole, Alaska resident, Larry Dean Mingus, age 52, passed away at his residence on Monday, January 17, 2011 due to cancer. Larry was born on April 7, 1958 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Lowell Wayne Mingus and Glenda Rae (Hull) Mingus. Larry had lived in Decatur, IL, California, and Germany prior to moving to Alaska 18 years ago. Larry served his country honorably and retired from the United States Air Force in November on 1999. Larry received the AF Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Metal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Achievement Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, and National Defense Service Medal. In August of 1993, Larry was assigned as NCOIC, Life Support, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska and was reassigned to that position in May, 1998. Larry had been recognized as the 354th Fighter Wing Life Support Senior NCO of the year for 1995 and 1997. His efforts and contributions have been pivotal in making where COPE THUNDER as a squadron and its life support section are today. He received recognition for his support of the C-17 and B-2 cold weather Operational Test & Evaluation program. He also received recognition through the Wing and local community newspaper, a Certificate of Recognition, and awarded the Joint Military Services Ribbon for his deployments to Laos, and Vietnam with Joint Task Force-Full Accounting. His efforts have brought closure to those families with loved ones missing in action from the conflict in Southeast Asia. He and his family have been recognized in Airman Magazine, October 1998, for an article titled "Assignment Eielson AFB, Alaska." He had served on the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces and the 354th Fighter Wing Inspection general (IG) Team. Larry was employed as a school bus operator for Laidlow Transit for 3 months and a Security Guard for Pinkerton Security for 3 months in 2000. He then worked in customer support as a Technical Librarian for Lockhead Martin Corporation in 2002. In 2003, Larry worked quality Control/Technical librarian for Arctic Slope World Services Division of Forestry. In 2005, Larry worked in Information Technology at Anteon Corporation. In 2007, he worked as a Secure Systems Engineer Information Technology for BAE – Information Technology. On February 28, 2010, Larry worked as an Information Technology Analyst for DS Information Technology and from March 1, 2010 to present, he worked as an Information Technology Analyst for General Dynamics Information Technology. Larry belonged to St. Nicholas Catholic Church Parish since 1997, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for many years and served on the Parish Council for 3 terms. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, DAV, and Moose. Larry is a devoted husband and father. He loved his family very much. He was very kind and generous. His family said,"Larry lived a life of a faithful and devoted servant to God, his country, his family, and his friends. Our lives are forever blessed by him." Larry is survived by his loving wife, Amparo "Amy" Mingus of North Pole, daughters, Amanda and Aleshea Mingus of North Pole, stepsons, Oliver Jr. and Carle R. Connor of Suisun, CA, mother, Glenda Rae Hull Mingus of Decatur, IL, father, Lowell Wayne Mingus of Troy, IL, brother and sister in law, Terry and Joyce Mingus of Meade, KS, sister, Cheryl Collins of Decatur, IL and brother and sister in law, David and Susan Mingus of Cleveland, OK. A visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2011 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in North Pole from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 12-noon at the church with Fr. Robert Fath Celebrant. The services will conclude with Air Force honors. A full obituary will be published at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wanting to make a donation may do so to Alaska Federal Credit Union where an account had been established to continue the well being of the family. Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home. 415 Illinois St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-456-5566. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/