Larry D. Mingus

North Pole resident Larry Dean Mingus, 52, passed away at his home Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, of cancer.
Larry was born April 7, 1958, in Lincoln, Neb., to Lowell Wayne Mingus and Glenda Rae (Hull) Mingus. Larry lived in Decatur, Ill., California and Germany before moving to Alaska 18 years ago.
Larry served his country honorably and retired from the U.S. Air Force in November 1999. Larry received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the National Defense Service Medal.
In August 1993, Larry was assigned as NCOIC, Life Support, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, and was reassigned to that position in May 1998. Larry was recognized as the 354th Fighter Wing Life Support Senior NCO of the Year for 1995 and 1997. His efforts and contributions were pivotal in making the Cope Thunder squadron and its life support section what they 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 was awarded the Joint Military Services Ribbon for his deployments to Laos and Vietnam with Joint Task Force-Full Accounting. His efforts brought closure to families with loved ones missing in action during the conflict in Southeast Asia.
Larry and his family were recognized in Airman Magazine's October 1998 issue in an article titled "Assignment Eielson AFB, Alaska." He served on the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces and the 354th Fighter Wing Inspection General Team.
Larry was employed as a school bus operator for Laidlow Transit for three months and a security guard for Pinkerton Security for three months in 2000. He then worked in customer support as a technical librarian for Lockhead Martin Corp. 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 Corp. In 2007, he worked as a Secure Systems Engineer in information technology for BAE – Information Technology. On Feb. 28, 2010, Larry worked as an information technology analyst for DS Information Technology and from March 1, 2002 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 three terms. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Moose Lodge.
Larry was a devoted husband and father. He loved his family very much. He was 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 City, Calif.; mother, Glenda Rae Hull Mingus of Decatur, Ill.; father, Lowell Wayne Mingus of Troy, Ill.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Terry and Joyce Mingus of Meade, Kan. and David and Susan Mingus of Cleveland, Okla.; and sister, Cheryl Collins of Decatur, Ill.
Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, North Pole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Saturday, Jan. 22, at the church with the Rev. Robert Fath, celebrant. The service will conclude with Air Force military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to make a donation can 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.