Marvin Edwin Minter

Marvin Edwin “Ed” Minter, aged 81, stepped into eternity on July 6, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Ed was born on April 5, 1943, in El Paso, Texas, to Theophilus Minter and Juanita Beaty. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Billie Rae Owen, and his brother Jim Minter.

Ed is survived by his loving and devoted wife of almost 61 years, Judy Martin Long Minter of Arlington; his son Marc Minter and his wife Debbie Minter of Duluth, Georgia; his daughter Vicki Minter Hafer and her husband Doug Hafer of Arlington; granddaughter Rachael Hafer Packard and her husband Luke Packard; granddaughter Regan Hafer; grandson Ethan Minter; grandson Eric Minter; grandson John Hafer; and great-granddaughter Cora Packard.

Ed grew up in the small west Texas town of Fort Stockton and graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1961. As a youngster, he enjoyed lizard and varmint hunting, fort-building, and exploring with his buddies around town, and spending time on his Grandpa and Granny Binion’s farm outside of town. He also enjoyed running around with his Minter cousins on trips to his paternal grandparents’ farm in Oklahoma. He was an excellent student, loved reading, and was active in church. As an older teenager he tested the limits of whatever car he could get his hands on. One wild ride down the Iraan hill landed him in the hospital where he was cared for by new nursing school graduate, Judy Long. Ed married that sweet nurse in September 1963. They enjoyed a lifetime of love and unwavering devotion to each other.

After graduating from North American Electronics (or Technical Institute) in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1965, Ed took a job with Collins Radio in Richardson, working as a tech for electronic equipment testing and calibrating. In 1971, Ed returned with his young family to his hometown of Fort Stockton, where he opened and operated his HVAC installation and service business, Ed’s Refrigeration, for 34 years. He served on the Fort Stockton City Council and was a cherished member of the Fort Stockton community for his entire working life. He and his family were active members of First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton.

Ed loved playing pool, target and competition silhouette shooting, collecting guns, hunting, and hiking and exploring, especially in Big Bend National Park. He was an avid reader and loved keeping a near perfect yard for many years. He loved listening to music, especially live music, and had a fantastic record collection. He passed his enthusiasm for many of these hobbies on to his children and grandchildren. Ed had an incredibly quick wit and loved to laugh and tell stories.

After retiring in 2007, Ed and Judy moved to Arlington, where they quickly got involved in the First Baptist Church Arlington community and Mission Arlington. Ed loved playing forty-two with his family and also friends at church. He also continued to enjoy shooting and remained an excellent marksman even in his later years. Most summers, Ed and Judy spent a week at Piasano Baptist Encampment outside of Alpine, Texas, where they got to reconnect with west Texas friends and worship in one of their favorite spots.

Notwithstanding all of Ed’s many interests, his greatest loves were his Savior and his family. He studied the Bible throughout his life, and carefully passed on his steadfast faith to his children and grandchildren.

Ed touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and his legacy will forever be cherished by his family.

Visitation services will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Texas 76013.
A funeral service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church Arlington, 301 South Center Street, Arlington, Texas 76010.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mission Arlington at missionarlington.org.