Obituary for Junior Alvin "Pa" Minnick
Junior Alvin “Pa” Minnick, 94 years of age, of Pampa, Texas, slipped into eternal peace while his wife sat at his bedside, holding his hand, in their home on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. He was born on September 14, 1928, in Fargo, Oklahoma to George and Letha Minnick.
Pa spent his childhood and young adult years in Fargo until moving to Pampa in 1948. Then, on October 9, 1950, at the age of 22, he joined the United States Army. He served as Corporal during the Korean War and was then transferred into the Army Reserve in 1952 and eventually on to receive an honorable discharge on October 1, 1956. Upon his return home, he worked in several capacities including oilfield hand, then delivering milk for Goldsmith & Hazelwood Milk Company before eventually being hired as a welder for Cabot. While working, he also taught welding classes to fellow co-workers through Cabot. At the age of 67, he retired from Cabot – IRI.
June 25, 1965 was a date that changed his life forever – he married the love of his life and soulmate, Sylvia “Polly” Kenyon in the home that he built as a labor of love in anticipation of having his own family. Junior didn’t have a mean bone in his body and never showed any anger. He was the epitome of a loving and giving soul. Pa had the most kind and gentle spirit and wanted nothing less than for others to be happy. So much so, that he was forever spinning up funny stories, or some tall tales to lift spirits and invoke laughter.
Absolutely nothing was more important to Pa than his family! Being active and present in his daughter and grandchildren’s lives was a must. He and Ma would load the gang up and take off traveling. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors while camping with the kids was very dear to him. Pa was adamant about attending the kids’ school extracurricular activities in the camper stocked to the hilt with snacks and goodies! ALL the kids knew to go to Ma & Pa’s Snack Shack!
Junior was reunited at Heaven’s gates by his parents; two brothers, Dwain Minnick and Donnie Minnick as well as his sister, Juanita Wagner.
Those who will continue his legacy of love and giving are his precious wife, Polly “Ma” Minnick of Pampa; daughter, Sherry Tackett and husband Rick of White Deer; a sister, Deloris Morris of Pampa; three granddaughters, Amanda Taylor of Kansas, Shelley Kirkwood of Callisburg, Laura Watson and husband Clint of Pampa; seven grandchildren, Ty Taylor of McKinney, Jacob Kirkwood, Kaelyn Kirkwood both of Callisburg, Kaden Brown, Karsyn Brown, Cooper Watson, Camryn Watson all of Pampa and many nieces and nephews he loved and treated as his own.
The family will be hosting Celebration of Life Memorial services at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the family residence, 1428 S. Barnes Street, Pampa. They have entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
To leave words of comfort and encouragement for the family on Junior’s Book of Memories, please visit www.winegeartfuneral.com.
Pa spent his childhood and young adult years in Fargo until moving to Pampa in 1948. Then, on October 9, 1950, at the age of 22, he joined the United States Army. He served as Corporal during the Korean War and was then transferred into the Army Reserve in 1952 and eventually on to receive an honorable discharge on October 1, 1956. Upon his return home, he worked in several capacities including oilfield hand, then delivering milk for Goldsmith & Hazelwood Milk Company before eventually being hired as a welder for Cabot. While working, he also taught welding classes to fellow co-workers through Cabot. At the age of 67, he retired from Cabot – IRI.
June 25, 1965 was a date that changed his life forever – he married the love of his life and soulmate, Sylvia “Polly” Kenyon in the home that he built as a labor of love in anticipation of having his own family. Junior didn’t have a mean bone in his body and never showed any anger. He was the epitome of a loving and giving soul. Pa had the most kind and gentle spirit and wanted nothing less than for others to be happy. So much so, that he was forever spinning up funny stories, or some tall tales to lift spirits and invoke laughter.
Absolutely nothing was more important to Pa than his family! Being active and present in his daughter and grandchildren’s lives was a must. He and Ma would load the gang up and take off traveling. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors while camping with the kids was very dear to him. Pa was adamant about attending the kids’ school extracurricular activities in the camper stocked to the hilt with snacks and goodies! ALL the kids knew to go to Ma & Pa’s Snack Shack!
Junior was reunited at Heaven’s gates by his parents; two brothers, Dwain Minnick and Donnie Minnick as well as his sister, Juanita Wagner.
Those who will continue his legacy of love and giving are his precious wife, Polly “Ma” Minnick of Pampa; daughter, Sherry Tackett and husband Rick of White Deer; a sister, Deloris Morris of Pampa; three granddaughters, Amanda Taylor of Kansas, Shelley Kirkwood of Callisburg, Laura Watson and husband Clint of Pampa; seven grandchildren, Ty Taylor of McKinney, Jacob Kirkwood, Kaelyn Kirkwood both of Callisburg, Kaden Brown, Karsyn Brown, Cooper Watson, Camryn Watson all of Pampa and many nieces and nephews he loved and treated as his own.
The family will be hosting Celebration of Life Memorial services at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the family residence, 1428 S. Barnes Street, Pampa. They have entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
To leave words of comfort and encouragement for the family on Junior’s Book of Memories, please visit www.winegeartfuneral.com.