Mr. Noah Douglas Minter

A memorial graveside service for Mr. Noah Douglas Minter, age 80, of Turnertown, will be Friday 2 p.m. June 5, 2015, at Youngblood Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home with the Rev. James Walker and Mr. Charles Seale officiating. At 1 p.m. the family will have visitation at the graveside. Mr. Minter died June 1, 2015, in Tyler.

Mr. Noah Minter was born Jan. 4, 1935, in Gary. Noah was one of 11 children born to the marriage of T.J. and Pearl Ritter Minter. He attended Gary schools. Noah married Linda Fern Brightwell Dec. 31, 1959. For years, Noah operated heavy equipment in the oil field and taught many a young man to do the same. Men across East Texas will tell you he was very good at his profession. There came a day when Noah decided to become a highly skilled porch-sitter and "kid" watcher - of both goats and grandchildren, but more often of grandchildren with goats. There was no doubt Noah loved his porch sitting wife, Linda. Through much of their latter 55 years of marriage, many an hour was spent with a cup of coffee while they listened for the roosters to crow and watched the grass grow.

During the porch-sitting years, his family learned a lot from Noah. He believed everyone should have plenty of warm winter clothes and shoes. Thanks to Noah, everyone had enough cold weather gear to last through the next 10 years if one wasn't concerned with fashion trends, and Noah certainly wasn't. Also learned, was the importance of paper towels. He was never found to be without one, or several for that matter. Being a true country boy, Noah passed along his love for fried egg sandwiches to his daughter, Thressea, and her two children Rachel and Audrey.

Noah appreciated the simple things in life. It is fitting then that he requested a simple memorial service. The family will celebrate Noah's promotion from porch-sitter to the Hallelujah Choir at a graveside service. A meal will be shared in the home of Paul and Carol Brightwell afterwards. And, yes, a front porch will be available.

Mr. Minter was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 55 years; daughter, Thressea Stanley; sister, Merlene Beck; grandchildren, Rachel Lauren Stanley and Audrey Faith Stanley; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of friends.

To view online or to sign the guestbook, go to www.hawthornfuneralhome.com.