Fred Leon Linton

Fred Leon Linton, loving husband, proud father, adoring grandfather, and faithful friend, was born November 5, 1944, in Hominy, Oklahoma, to Forrest Leon and Ella Isabelle (Throop) Linton.  The family ultimately moved to Borger, Texas, where Fred attended school and found his love for football and track.  At Borger High School Fred was a Student Council Representative, officer of Spanish Club, and Senior Class Favorite.  When his parents moved to Goldsmith for his senior year, Fred remained with family friends to finish his senior year in Borger.  From Borger he went to Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship.  At the end of his freshmen year, Fred chose to return to Texas to play out his football college eligibility at Sul Ross University where he also ran track.  His charismatic personality, kind nature, and smile made him very popular both at BHS and at Sul Ross.  His junior year at Sul Ross he was elected class favorite and was honored as Brand King his senior year.  

The highlight of his football career was during his sophomore year when he was a member of the 1965 Lone Star Conference Champion Football Team, the winningest team in Sul Ross University history.  In 2020, that team was honored with a place in the Athletics Hall of Honor.  At the end of his senior year of football eligibility he was a few hours short of graduation but chose to go to work in the oil field for Shell Oil Company rather than finish his degree.  Later, at the encouragement of his then girlfriend, Lynda, he completed the nine hours he lacked and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts from Sul Ross on May 17, 1972.

Fred’s career with Shell took him to Denver City, Texas, where a year later he was introduced to Lynda Heck, a high school business teacher.  Five years later, they married and were one month, four days away from their 50^th anniversary when he passed.  They moved to Midland where Fred continued his career with Shell, later moving with their infant son to Monahans where they have lived since 1976.  In 1981, a daughter completed the family.  In Monahans, Fred became active in First Baptist Church where he worked with the RAs.  Fred worked his way up through Shell ultimately becoming a senior Health, Safety and Environmental Technician.  When Oxy Permian purchased the Shell Unit, Fred continued on with the new company until his retirement as a Workover Completions Specialist in January, 2009.  Fred was beloved and respected by all those who worked under him and with him because he treated everyone equally and was a hard worker who led by example.

Fred loved to fish!!  Every type of fishing was his favorite!  He spent many hours tying his own flies to use in New Mexico.  He would spend hours fishing the streams and lakes of New Mexico and Lake Whitney and the Rio Grande River in Texas.  All seasons were fishing-weather seasons for Fred—many times he cracked holes in the ice and waded snow and freezing water to fish for trout in New Mexico.  While at Sul Ross, Fred was introduced to arrowhead hunting, and it became a favored hobby as well.  He spent many hours in the Monahans Sandhills adding to his large collection of arrowheads, Indian grindstones and other Indian relics.  Over the years he made many trips back to Alpine to hunt on ranches there.  His happiest vacation locations were those places where he could fish and arrowhead hunt—his two favorite passions!  

Fred loved being outdoors and loved to garden, both flowers and vegetables, and definitely had a green thumb.  He took great pride in growing beautiful roses, and always made sure there were roses in the house for Lynda to enjoy.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren!  In the last few years of his life when it was difficult for him to get around because of his need for oxygen, he would play games with them sitting in bed.  His love of Hershey bars made his bedroom a popular place for the grandchildren to go “shopping” for candy when they came to see PaPa.

Fred passed away May 25, 2024, ending his life too soon because his lungs, severely damaged from years of smoking, were unable to respond and sustain him following a surgical procedure.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynda Heck Linton; devoted daughter, Christin (Alan) Nicholas; and loving son Christopher (Rachel) Linton; grandchildren, Isabella Nicholas, Iyleigh Nicholas, Jaydn Nicholas, and Kaitlyn Linton; brothers, Jimmy and Roger (Lesa) Linton; numerous cousins, and a host of friends.  His memory will forever live on and be cherished by those who knew and loved him.

Viewing is scheduled for June 6, 2024, at Harkey Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m.--8:00 p.m. with family being present from 5:00 p.m.--8:00 p.m.  The Funeral Service will take place at First Baptist Church on June 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chris Powell officiating.

His presence will be deeply missed by family and friends, but we know he is now healed and pain-free in the presence of our Heavenly Father, rejoicing with those loved ones who have gone before!