Alfred Molinaro

It is with grieving hearts that the family of Alfred Emil Molinaro, 80, of Mineral Wells, Texas announces his passing on Monday, September 17, 2018, in Mineral Wells, Texas. Visitation will take place at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home at 6:00-8:00 Wednesday evening. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 Thursday morning at First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, Texas, with Pastor Nathan Buchanan officiating. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery beside his wife of 37 years, Linda G. (McCall) Molinaro, whose "smile stole (his) heart." Al was born on February 22, 2018, in San Francisco, California, to Alfred and Clara (Irish) Molinaro. He spent his early years in Yakima, Washington, where he worked for Sam Woodcock picking apples and setting sprinkler pipes. He moved to Prescott, Washington during his high school years. At that time, he worked in the wheat fields and built a fence on Skyrocket Hill, which is still standing to this day. He, his brother Jerry, and friends would jump on the freight trains into Walla Walla before purchasing his first car, a 1934 Chevy, for $35.00. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1956 and continued to attend school reunions. He kept in touch with his classmates throughout the years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1963 and was stationed at Fort Wolters, Mineral Wells, Texas, as well the U.S. quadrant in West Berlin Germany during the Cold War. After discharge from the Army Al entered the helicopter spare parts business. He was a partner in Hiller Aviation and Heli-Parts of California. He and Linda were married on August 17, 1974 in Morenci, Arizona. They formed American Arial Sales, Inc., in 1978, which he continued to operate up until his death. Al enjoyed classic cars, big band music, drag racing, airplanes, landscaping, history, and trivia. He is survived by his children: Donald Ray Wonner (Velma) of Mineral Wells, Texas, Larry Dean Wonner (Mary Kaye) of Glendale, Arizona, James Scott Molinaro (Robin) of Springtown, Texas, Debra Denise Wright (Roy) of Mineral Wells, and Sandra Lavin Snyder (Robert) of Weatherford; his grandchildren: Gary Lavin Wonner (Samantha) of Phoenix, Arizona, Linda Marie Ellmore (John) of Abilene, Texas, Patrick Ryan Wilcox of Mineral Wells, Texas, Julia Drucy Ware of Houston, Texas, Cassondra Lynn Gunn (Kevin) of Phoenix, Arizona, Jaci Elizabeth Allan Snyder of Denton, Texas, Kammilyn Marie Wonner of Glendale, Arizona; his great grandchildren: Zachary Lavin Wonner, Aurora Jane Ellmore, Corey John Gunn; his sisters Lorna Hendrickson Bradley of Laurel, Maryland, Gloria Hendrickson Clark of Walla Walla, Washington, Helen Hendrickson Samuelson of Port Orchard, Washington; and his aunt, Marjorie "Nanny" Keil. He is preceded in death by: his father, Alfred Molinaro; mother, Clara (Irish) Crockett; brother, Gerald L. Molinaro; niece, Julie Ann Clark; brother-in-law, Don Clark; maternal grandparents, Margeuie and Clarence Irish; paternal grandparents, Maria (Macchieu) and Emil Molinaro; maternal great grandparents, Clara and Frank Irish, Mildred and John Binning; paternal great grandparents, Antonio and Anna Zanini Macchieu.