Well-known local philanthropist, Johnie Alford, passed away October 4, 2009.

Mr. Alford (pictured left, courtesy of: Port Arthur News) affectionately called "Papa John", was born April 9, 1919 in Polk County, Texas to Thomas and Jessie Alford.

After serving time with the Merchant Marines, he and his wife Maxine bought their first store in Livingston, Texas.

Later he acquired a two-pump service station in Port Acres that eventually became known as Alford's Super Market.

Prior to the time when homes in this area had access to a city-water system, he provided water for people to fill their barrels at this station.

Eventually, Mr. Alford served on the board that enabled Port Acres and El Vista residents to have access to the city-water system.

When the store burned in 1982, Papa John chose to rebuild in response to the needs of the people in Port Acres and El Vista.

That store became a haven for folks - a place where Papa John indiscriminately gave young people the means to purchase their first cars, attend college or buy their first homes.

Motivated by the lack of a formal education, Mr. Alford influenced others to place a high priority on educational opportunities and a strong work ethic.

Alford's Supermarket offered regular free pancake breakfasts to express appreciation to the customers.

These open-air breakfast times provided opportunities for people from various backgrounds and cultures to unite in a social setting.

Mr. Alford truly felt great joy in giving to others-and often said, "The reason we are able to give is because of the loyalty and support of people in the community."

Papa John built a reputation as a generous, kind man who was willing to help others in a self-sacrificing manner.

He sponsored school events, all sorts of sports leagues, scouts and humanitarian organizations.

Often, he donated items for Hughen School Benefits-and even bid on those items, won, and re-donated them for this worthy cause.

Customarily, he took food to the ill and to those families in grief.

On one particular occasion, a man who was in town for a funeral came to thank Mr. Alford for the food he had delivered to the bereaved family.

He mentioned how embarrassed he was because he did not have a jacket to wear to the funeral. Mr. Alford immediately took his off and said, "Here, you can have this one."

In the years when Gulf and Texaco strikes wreaked great havoc on homes throughout the area, Papa John enabled those workers to meet the needs of their families.

He generously offered open-ended credit, thus assuring these people's basic human needs would be met.

Mr. Alford set precedents on marketing skills with innovative and entertaining methods.

With elephant rides, Easter egg hunts and free giveaways, people young and old benefited from his passion to make others happy.

Donning a Santa suit, Papa John visited various elementary classrooms.

On one particular visit, his own little daughter delightedly said, "You smell like my daddy!" - he was.

While Johnie Alford was active in Sabine Neches Retail Grocers' Association, Texas Retail Grocers, and the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce and served as a director at First Bank and Trust, he is best known for his extensive philanthropy.

He was a loyal, generous man who opened his heart and hand to all who were in need.

He had a marvelous sense of humor and a great zest for life.

He embraced life-enjoying the good times and enduring the bad with strength and sensitivity.

While he was a man of many humorous witticisms, remembered for his classy fashion-sense cruising Pleasure Island in his red Thunderbird, the true story of his life as a great humanitarian will live on in the lives of all who knew him.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves.

A visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later time in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Papa John is survived by four daughters; Linda Bargainer, Madeline and her husband, Ron Robertson, Jeanette Sanders and Sharon Carter; six grandsons; Michael Hatton and his wife, Wendy, Marty Hatton, Todd Sanders, Rhett Sanders and his wife, Tricia, Markus Carter and Marlon Carter; three great grandchildren; Olivia Hatton and Libby and Caleb Alan Sanders.

He is also survived by his special, loving friend, Debbie Stuckey.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Blanche and his beloved granddaughter; Belinda, her dad; Benny Baca and son-in-law; Carl Alan Sanders.

The family is thankful for the loyalty of Jessie Paul and Robert Kyle.

Special appreciation is given to the caregivers at Cypress Glen Nursing Home and Odyssey HealthCare.

Pallbearers will be Ron Robertson and grandsons; Michael and Marty Hatton, Todd and Rhett Sanders, and Markus and Marlon Carter.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Thompson and Robert Kyle.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to: The Belinda Baca Memorial Scholarship Fund at Wachovia Bank.