Albert Lee Minton

Albert Minton was born November 4, 1921, in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, North Carolina. He died in Denver, Colorado on October 20, 2010. He started flying planes in May 1938 when he was 16.5 years old. He was unsatisfied with the poverty of the rural south during the depression and left home at the age of 17 to seek his fortune. On November 4, 1939, he joined the army air corps with the hopes of flying more advanced planes. Albert became the youngest reconnaissance officer in the army air corps in 1942. He met with General George Patton to review reconnaissance photographs to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Later in the war, he was injured and hospitalized for 359 days. After receiving an honorary discharge from the military, he attended the University of Denver where he studied law. He acquired a Juris Doctorate degree in law and was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Colorado on March 20, 1950. He married Marjorie Grace Quanz on June 9, 1947. They purchased their home in February 1949 and maintained that residence until his passing. He and Marjorie raised two sons, James and Gregory, who would grow up to be a doctor and a lawyer respectively. Albert is survived by his wife, sons, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Albert worked for the Federal Civil Service in several capacities including as an investigator and later as a lawyer for the Federal Aviation Administration. He retired from the Civil Service after a long career on January 15, 1981. On January 19, 1981, he was appointed to the bench of the Denver County Court where he served until September 28, 2001. He often worked the Sunday shift in Denver so that he could also serve as a judge with the Aurora Municipal Court. As a judge his favorite activity was performing wedding ceremonies. His Official retirement date was October 1, 2001. He would joke that the two days between retiring from the Civil Service to being hired in Denver was the longest time he was unemployed. He always regarded working as a privilege. Albert fulfilled his America dream because he had the freedom to live his life pursuing what he valued most: hard work and education. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at 11:00am, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. The viewing will begin at 10:00am. Entombment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. To share memories of Albert and condolences with his family, please click on the ""sign guestbook"" tab below.