NCA/RC/NWA Capt. Harold James Alton, Jr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NCA/RC/NWA Capt. Harold James Alton, Jr.

October 30, 1934 ~ March 3, 2022

 

Notice of passing…..retired North Central/Republic/Northwest pilot Captain Harold J. Alton, Jr., age 87.

 

Obituary : https://www.messingermortuary.com/obituary/Harold-AltonJr

Harold J. Alton, Jr., age 87, died peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Harold (Harry) is survived by his wife Margaret (Maggie) Alton, Kathy (Tom) Blanton, Lee Ann (Mike) Basham, Mary Jo (Steve Haynes) Alton, Martha (Todd) Ori, Thomas J. Alton (deceased) and Susan Molloy. Harry is a beloved Grandpa to six grandchildren; Lindsay, Sarah and Thomas Blanton and Michael, Elizabeth and Jack Basham.

 

Harry learned to fly at the age of 14 at Holman Field Airport in Downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. He went to St. Thomas Military Academy and then tried college with a semester at Notre Dame and one at St. Thomas College but couldn’t fight the urge to fly. He traded the books for two years in the U. S. Air Force and then served in the Air National Guard. At the ripe age of 21 he was hired at North Central Airlines and began his airline career in the right seat of a DC-3 where he met his future wife, Maggie, a stewardess. After 39 years and over 35,000 hours Harry became the senior pilot of the Northwest Airlines’ fleet of 5400. A brief reward as the airlines then had mandatory retirement at the age of 60. Harry retired in 1994.

 

Harry always said he had a “blessedly uneventful career”. No major emergencies and only one emergency landing in a DC-9 back in the 1980’s. He prided himself on calm flights but most importantly, smoother landings.

 

Harry had many hobbies; he continued to fly privately until around 2010, he crafted hundreds of model airplanes and cars in his workshop, he loved football and most sports, but more than anything he enjoyed spending time with his wife of 65 years Maggie, family and friends. Harry is renowned for his love of aviation, his great sense of humor but most of all, his appreciation for God’s many blessings in his life. We will remember him most for his positive attitude and making the most out of every day.

 

Harry will be interred at Paradise Memorial Gardens at a small ceremony on April 2. A celebration of his life will be held on April 2, from 1-5 at 11786 E Arabian Park Dr. in Scottsdale, AZ 85259 - Gate code 423 .

 

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a veterans charity of your choice.