Marion Alton "Hotshot" Alford, 81, of Owensboro and formerly of Panther, passed away Monday, April 5, 2010 at Owensboro Medical Health System. Mr. Alford, the son of the late Wilbur Thomas Alford and Lila Robertson Alford, was born and raised in Panther, where he lived most of life before moving to Owensboro. He graduated from West Louisville High School, where he was co-valedictorian and played on the basketball team, then attended Western Kentucky University on an academic scholarship. His love of learning was life-long. Mr. Alford started working for Green Coal Company in his late teens, his first job being moving drilling equipment from his father's farm to the mine using a team of horses, followed by sweeping floors and oiling machinery, with his first official position being that of weigh master. He ultimately ran the main office of Green Coal with responsibility for over 10,000 acres of mining activity. He took great pride in his work and in hiring local workers for the company. Mr. Alford was very active in mine reclamation and was appointed by former governor Edward Breathitt to the first 10 member Mining Reclamation Committee. His work with post mining land use included the formation of a number of lakes, including Diamond Lake in west Daviess County. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Alford served in the United States Navy from 1951 until 1955, serving aboard the USS Kennebec. He retired from Green Coal Company as general superintendent of mines following 42 years of service. He owned a farm in Panther which ultimately became the back-9 of Panther Creek golf course. An active member of Century Christian Church, he enjoyed religious music. For several years Mr. Alford was active with Habitat for Humanity, being involved with the construction a number of Habitat houses and the sponsor of one. A 60 year Mason, he was a member and Past Master of Monsarrat Lodge Number 379 at Panther. Mr. Alford was a Kentucky Colonel. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Oleighla Pinkston and Ernestine Berry.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Martha Jean York Alford; his sister, Helen B. Reeves of Owensboro; his niece, Lila Ann Allen of Evansville; his nephews, Fred Reeves of Owensboro and Bobby Pinkston of Hartford; and many great nephews and nieces.

Services, officiated by Dr. Tom Norvell and Rev. Jim Westmoreland, are 12:00 noon Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel, where visitation will be from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and after 10:00 a.m. Thursday. A Masonic service will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Century Christian Church or the Alzheimer's Foundation.