Alton McCann

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a good man, Alton Perry McCann. Alton was born on April 9, 1956 to Ralph and Mary Elizabeth McCann, and he departed this world August 25, 2025 at the age of 69. For his family and friends, that departure was too soon.

Alton lived in Minden and graduated from Minden High School where he played football and baseball. He enjoyed his 50th high school reunion last year reconnecting with old friends.

Alton attended Louisiana Tech University studying Petroleum Technology with a desire to work “oil field” and work “oil field” he did. He began his first job as a roughneck for Sawyer Drilling in September, 1976 which led him off-shore. Alton quickly advanced to driller and by the time he was 25, he was the Toolpusher. Alton drilled oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts of Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. He could not travel through an airport without meeting someone that he knew. When he left Vietnam, the men on the rig gave him an engraved hard hat and a bull dog figurine. The bull dog symbolized his toughness of never letting go of a problem until it was solved. The hat symbolized their respect for his leadership. Everyone knew that if you were on Alton’s rig you would follow every rule, drill the hole according to specs, and everyone would be safe. Alton completed his 46-year oil-field career as a Drilling Consultant on land rigs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana until he retired at the age of 66.

Alton married Shirley Mouser on June 5, 1977 one week after her high school graduation. Alton was a provider. On the day Shirley graduated high school, he gave her a brand-new burnt orange and tan Olds 442. He drove an old silver truck with a rebuilt engine. Shirley always had a new car while he would buy used trucks. That was who he was. Providing for his family gave him great pride. He loved nothing more on this earth than his family. They came first in every decision he made.

Alton and Shirley built a good life. Their children, Russell and Kelli, were his pride and joy until the six grand-children arrived. Pawpaw loved his grands. Each one was special to him. He was a happy man when he was holding a grand child in his arms. Some of his happiest times were spent at the lake tubing with the kids and teaching them to ski or wake-board. They all knew that 7 o’clock in the morning was the best time to ski because the water was smooth as glass.

Alton loved God. He had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was a teenager. In 1981, he joined Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized. He was faithful. He was on the Security Team and was the Maintenance Manager after his retirement. He truly enjoyed “fixing” things around the church. Almost every day he would go to the church to fix something and he could fix nearly anything. He was also a door greeter on Sunday mornings. He knew and loved every person who came through his door. He will be missed.

Alton leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Shirley; son, Russell, and his wife, Jaime, and their children Chloe, Michael, and Lexi; daughter, Kelli, and her husband, Stewart Burson, and their children, Elizabeth, Sawyer, and Emily; his sisters, Debbie McCann and Junne Lowe and brother-in-law, Tom; brother, Neal McCann along with nieces and nephews, aunts, and cousins. He also leaves behind many friends who will miss him.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23.