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Dr. John T. Minor peacefully joined the heavenly choir on July, 18, 2015 at the age of 94.
"John T." was named after his grandfather, and was born on the Minors' family farm in Saline County, Missouri. He began his education at a one-room school house around the corner. He continued his dedication to knowledge by going daily to Marshall, Missouri for both high school & then Missouri Valley College.
He received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry in 1942, Masters in Chemistry & Physics 1946, and his Ph.D. in 1950 in Organic Chemistry & Chemical Engineering. While working on his Masters at the University of Pittsburgh, John stopped studies to join the staff of the Manhattan Project studying the toxicity of the atomic bomb compounds, the details which he did not share until later in life. John taught chemistry at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri while finishing his Ph.D. work with the University of Kansas.
John's career focused on research & development. He held a variety of positions related to solid rocket propellant, solvents, fertilizers, & plant foods. Many patents hold his name. In 1961, John began work for Continental Oil Co. (CONOCO). In his last years of work, John performed technical information searches via hard copy, punch cards and computer files which would later become the "nternet". He retired in 1985.
During his college days, John courted Ruth E. Neuenschwander. They married in 1946 while continuing course work. Married for 41 years, they had four children. Their house was full of music. Each child sang and played an instrument & piano. The children and their 6 grandsons have all attended university, many earning Masters & Ph.D.'s. The legacy of music & knowledge continues. Ruth passed away from multiple myeloma in 1987.
In 2007, John married Mabel Maxey, a new member of the Presbyterian Church choir. They moved to Spanish Cove Retirement Village, Yukon, OK in 2010 where they lived at the time of his death.
John was preceded in death by Ruth, his parents, Marcellus & Una, and his only sister, Eudora. He is survived by wife, Mabel, his four children, two sons-in-law, six grandsons, two great grandchildren and Mabel's family of two children, three grandchildren, & three great grandchildren.
John was multi-faceted. He had been a private pilot, played violin, created great stamp & genealogy collections, gardened, & golfed. He was a not only a member, but held positions in the Presbyterian Church, Ponca City Lions Club, Community Concert, Community Orchestra, SPEBSQSA, Sigma Nu, OK Bowling Assoc., PCCC, and National Federated Music Clubs. He was devoted to music & John rarely missed singing in the choir. We know that he's now singing more beautifully than ever.
A memorial service is being held at Chisholm Trail Presbyterian Church, Yukon OK on Friday, July 24th at 2:00 p.m. The burial is August 22nd at Union Cemetery, near Marshall, MO. Donations may be made to: "Union Cemetery Fund" - send to: P.O. Box 1674, Tomball TX 77377.
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