"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been" -Mark TwainAlton was a guy with a lot of wrinkles. He loved people and loved to tell a good story, often multiple times in multiple ways. He could talk to anyone and make them feel like he had known them their entire lives. He was born on March 5, 1931 in Turkey, Texas. He grew up on a farm with his older siblings, Olen and Rita, butting heads with his brother, tending crops, raising animals and figuring out how to get out of chores. On reaching legal age, he got to take a short vacation in Asia (specifically Korea) courtesy of the US Army and the Korean conflict. After returning from this adventure, he decided to start a new one by marrying the love of his life, Glorianna Neatherlin (of Quitaque, Texas) in 1955 and moving to Idaho to homestead a farm. (There has been MUCH debate if Alton won or lost this G.I. homestead lottery by getting sent to Idaho). They settled down and built a house and soon they had two sons, Kevin and Greg. Alton farmed and Glo worked at the newspaper. He soon saw the light and went to work with Glo at the newspaper in Rupert, Idaho, eventually becoming the Editor. He still wanted to be his own boss, so they saved money over time, and in 1970 purchased the Ruidoso News in Ruidoso, New Mexico. This was yet another interesting adventure--moving the family 1,000 miles in the summer heat with U-haul trailers. We're sure the convoy looked like a scene from The Grapes of Wrath.Alton and Glo built the newspaper over the next 13 years, performing many roles there (and enslaving their two sons along the way) while accruing a number of friends in the growing community. Alton was very active in Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club (he loved to sing there). But, Alton being Alton, was ready for a new challenge. They sold the paper and moved together again, as a team, to manage the Multiple Listing Service in Ruidoso. They worked together there for many years helping to train realtors, get the listings done and participating in a number of MLS "Talent Shows" (we use the term loosely) often portraying "Laugh In" characters. Like everything they did in their life, they did it together.They both retired multiple times but couldn't stay retired. After their "last" retirement, they bought the "Domes" in Alto and refurbished it to become a unique home base. Their next project became their two grandchildren, Luke and Sara, who brought Alton much joy and the delight of seeing his son Greg have some of the same challenges in raising them. An oft comment was "Greg is getting paid for his raising". They moved to Las Cruces in 2014 to be closer to their grandchildren and son and daughter-in-law. Glo passed away in 2015 after 60 years of marriage to Alton. Alton continued to make new friends, share his stories, make up some new ones and enjoy watching his grandchildren growing up. Alton passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 1, 2017. One of his favorite sayings was "If I die tomorrow, I've had a great life and great family". He truly lived in the moment and was always happy and had a good word for everyone. He is survived by his two sons, Kevin Lane and his partner, Susanne King of Seattle, Washington and Greg Lane and his wife, Diane Lane of La Mesa, New Mexico; grandchildren, Luke and Sara Lane of La Mesa and Matthew Perry of Germany; sister, Rita Guest of Turkey, Texas; sister-in-law, Aleta Sperry of Quitaque, Texas; nieces, Leigh Ann North and Tracy Guest; nephews, Neil and Brent Guest and four other nieces and nephews.Preceding him in death were his parents, Luke and Chloe Lane; In-Laws, Seburn and Orby Neatherlin; brother and sister-in-law, Olen and Margaret Lane; three brothers-in-law, Smith Guest, Bill Sperry and Barney Jo Martin; sister-in-law, Cloris Martin and two nephews, Steve Guest and Cody Sperry. We will be holding a celebration of Alton's life at the Community Methodist Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 2:00 pm. There will be another celebration at the Church of Christ in Turkey, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11:00 am. Refreshments will be served after each service. We ask that all who knew and loved this amazing man join us and share your stories and memories of him (especially the bad ones!).In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the in Alton's name.