Beech Tree News Network

 Harold Evan Minton, age 75 of Morgantown, KY passed away Thursday, December 21,2023 peacefully in his sleep and into the open arms of his family that have gone on before him. Harold was born on Thursday, November 11, 1948 in Butler County, KY to the union of the late Evan Attewall and Georgia Mattline McKinney Minton. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and one infant son Matthew Evan Minton. Harold grew up in Morgantown, Kentucky and lived in Rochester, Kentucky for 40 plus years.

He was a husband, a father, and a lifelong professional truck driver and load dispatcher. If it had an engine, he could drive it anywhere. He enjoyed fishing anytime he could get a boat near water. NASCAR Sunday was a holiday… every Sunday after church. He loved spending time with his grandkids more than anyone else on earth. He was a member of Rochester Missionary Baptist Church. He moved back to Morgantown and lived with his father Evan the last 8 years that we had him. He got to enjoy supper and Andy Griffith with him and fuss a little about which Mexican restaurant in town made the best fajitas. Harold spent a lot of his spare time watching his grandkids play sports, or school plays, working on cars, trikes and motorcycles. However his most favorite pastime may have been joking and playing pranks on his sisters. When you love Ray Stevens and you have a sister named Margaret, you can have a lot of fun with that.

He was paralyzed May 5, 1995 and told his life expectancy was ten years as a paraplegic,which let’s just point out was 28 years ago. So, He got up everyday and with the same work ethic as always, pushed to live a life on wheels. Handicapped? Disabled? These are not words that described Harold Minton, nor words that he allowed to be in his vocabulary. He continued to keep a clean and shiny truck to pull his bass boat around if wasn't riding his trike that day to watch a grandkid at a soccer game. You could not tell him that he couldn't do something. He would go out of his way to prove he could, and then let you know that you were wrong. He was full of life, and could always find a way to make you smile. He taught us how to laugh about the hard stuff, and that hard work can get you whatever you need. Giving up was not an option, and if it wasn't a Kenworth, it wasn't worth driving, period.

To have really known the legend, Harold Minton, was to know greatness. He had many great struggles, but fought them with a smile and a laugh that could lighten any mood and brighten any day. He touched lives in many ways, most times silently as he didnt want the thanks. He made others feel better and a little safer, just because they were near him. He was only human but somehow bigger than life and a hero to many.

He leaves behind an immeasurable legacy, through the life he had with his wife of 42 years andmother to his children, Brenda Wester Minton. Children, Timothy Scott Minton (Carolyn), twins, Alicia Minton Williams (Adam) and Matthew Evan Minton (deceased before birth). Grandchildren, Levi Evan Minton, Gavin Pence, Kayden Minton, Kansas Minton, Bailey Pence, Greyson Milliner, Annalise Pearl Williams, and Atticus Dean Williams. Great Grandchildren, Ashton Pence and Annley Bagshaw. Sisters, Linda Campbell (Don), Faye Sandberg (Scott), Margaret Phelps (Tim) and so many nieces and nephews. Special friend and companion Laura June French.

Harold served our country as a member of the United States Army. A call he answered like so many of our friends and loved ones of those eras did. He rarely spoke about it and was quick to tell you that the real heroes are the ones that didn’t come back. He later in life came to be more proud of his time in the service. He recognized that being drafted didn’t make you any less brave and deserving of gratitude for serving our country.

Harold Evan lived a long and full life. Whether as family, friend, or acquaintance, touched so many of us along the way. It was a privilege and an honor to really know him, and he will forever be missed by those who did.

 You’ve got your legs, so take off Runaway! #3 #RaiseHellPraiseDale

Funeral services will be held at the Rochester Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 1:00pm with Bro. Roger Heltsley officiating. Burial will be in the Rochester Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Jones Funeral Chapel and Thursday 10:00 am until funeral time at 1:00pm at the Rochester Missionary Baptist Church. Pallbearers: Adam Williams, Jonathan Wester, Kory McDonald, Levi Minton, Gavin Pence, Greyson Milliner, Annalise Wiliams, Atticus Williams, and Chris Cardwell. Please share any photos, memories, condolences or light a candle in memory of Harold at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com. Jones Funeral Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Harold Evan Minton