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Gerald Alford • 1927- 2006 Gerald Denval Alford was born on September 4, 1927, the son of Monroe and Lillian (Ghoulson) Alford in Steep Creek, Texas. He graduated from Atlanta High School, Atlanta, Texas, in 1945. He enlisted in the United States Army on February 23, 1946. He was honorably discharged on August 9, 1947. Following his honorable discharge, he worked various jobs in Texas and Louisiana until enlisting in the United States Air Force on October 10, 1955. He proudly served his country and was stationed in Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Coldbay, Alaska, and Fortuna, ND. While in Fortuna, he met and married Mary Ellen Blonigen Todd on April 16, 1966. They then moved to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK, where their two children, Elizabeth Ann and Denval Lee were born. Gerald eventually returned to the Minot Air Force Base, where he retired as a Master Sergeant on May 31, 1977. Following his honorable discharge, the family moved to Texas, where Gerald attended technical school. They then settled in Wichita, Kansas, where he worked as an electrician at Beech Aircraft until his second retirement in 1991. Gerald and his wife then returned to Minot, ND, to enjoy retirement with friends and family. He was blessed with two grandchildren who gave him much joy and pleasure in the last three years of his life. He was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, and the Disabled American Veterans, all of Minot. His loving family includes: wife of 40 years, Mary Ellen, Minot; daughter, Elizabeth Alford, Sioux Falls, SD, son, Denny (Sophia) Alford, Minot; grandchildren, Austin Gregory and Braydon James Alford; sisters, Mildred (Henry) King, Atlanta, TX, Louise Ener, Houston, TX, and Julia (William) Gillmore, Cleveland, TX; brother, Doyle Alford, Cleveland, TX; and numerous nieces, and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Eugene and James Alford. Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, November 16, 2006,
at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. |