Wyndal "Wyndy" Ira Minton, born November 17, 1951, in Texarkana, Arkansas, died of the COVID-19 virus on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The son of Wyndal Ira Minton, Sr., and Betty Jean Minton (née Stone), Wyndy attended the Gurdon public schools, Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University), and served in the United States Air Force Reserve for six years at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Wyndy served as an active board member on the Clark County Farm Bureau, served two years on Farm Credit Services as a committee board member, served as an active board member on the Bethlehem Cemetery, and was a member of the Clark County Cattleman's Association.  Like so many Mintons before him, he went to work at an early age on the family-owned and legacy-rich Minton Farms, a business that he dearly loved. He married Sharon Minton (née Duke) on August 17, 1974, and they were blessed with three children.

After the death of his dad, Wyndy, ably assisted by Sharon and the kids, took over the day-to-day management of Minton Farms. Over the years they were twice named Clark County's Farm Family of the Year. Like his dad, Wyndy became the definitive family patriarch. Sharon, his children, his grandchildren, and his sister meant everything to him and, at one time or another, each one of them benefitted from his innate common sense, practical advice, and "can do" credo. His beneficence extended well beyond the immediate family. If any friend or relative needed help, they could contact Wyndy, day or night, and he was there with his calm reassurance, keen sense of humor, ready laugh, and the expertise to solve virtually any problem. In a crisis, he was the person you wanted by your side.

Managing a large farming operation, Wyndy's talents and skills were necessarily diverse. Visitors to the farm were often astonished at his real-world knowledge and ability to perform almost any task. He was as comfortable behind his computer doing a payroll as he was re-building a massive diesel engine, assembling the intricate inner workings of a grandfather clock, operating heavy equipment, or refurbishing a home from the foundation to the roof. He was imbued with an old-fashioned work ethic that has all but vanished today. For most of his life he worked from well before daylight until well after dark, not because he had to, but because generations of Mintons and Stones had taught him that this is what a person does.

Before arthritis and other health problems intervened, he enjoyed fishing and was an avid deer and duck hunter. He loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours on the Little Missouri River and in the deep woods of the farm. He enjoyed good food, gardening, any Western film, finely crafted firearms, farm equipment auctions, and, most of all, spending time with his family.

Wyndy's life is perpetuated by his wife and best friend for forty-seven years, Sharon Minton; by his children, Mike Minton of Arkadelphia, Ginger Walker of Gurdon, and Marc Minton of Gurdon; his sister, Julie Minton Mulkey (Wayne) of Saraland, Alabama, and two cherished grandchildren, Zack and Chassidy Walker of Gurdon; a niece, Amanda Mulkey of Saraland, Alabama, a great nephew Patrick Christiansen, and a great niece, Katie Richardson of Theodore, Alabama, and other friends and relatives across the country who will deeply miss this kind, generous, extraordinary man.

In addition, the Minton family expresses gratitude to our employees and the many wonderful people we've done business with over the years. We are also thankful for the many people who, as a result of their hunting leases on Minton Farms, have become close friends of the family and whose company Wyndy so much enjoyed.

Wyndy was preceded in death by his parents, a niece, Haley Richardson of Theodore, Alabama, and a great niece, Ryleigh Beth Richardson.

The family expresses thanks and their admiration for the dedicated frontline health care workers at CHI St. Vincent of Hot Springs for their care, compassion, and professionalism during these difficult times for Wyndy's family and our nation. The family also thanks the congregation of Wyndy's church, the Beech Street Baptist Church, for their never-ending support and prayers.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Beech Street Baptist Church or Bethlehem Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 1, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.

Funeral services will be at Beech Street Baptist Church in Gurdon on Thursday, September 2 at 10:00 am.

Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery at Gurdon.

The Family requests Face Masks To Be Worn at Visitation & Funeral Service