John Alvin Bettes, 82, of Eucha, Oklahoma, passed away on December 13, 2025, after a short illness, at the St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Alvin was born March 5, 1943, in Delaware, Oklahoma to Wilbur and Lela Bettes.  He was one of eight children, five boys and three girls.  Alvin graduated from Burdett High School, Burdett, Kansas, in 1961.  He also attended Marymount College in Salina, from 1978 and 1980.

Alvin joined the Army as a young man, and later the US Army Reserves.  He retired from the Army as Sergeant First Class (E7) in 2003.  Alvin was awarded several Certificates of Training and Recognitions during his years of service and earned the Army Commendation Medal in 1994 for meritorious service while serving as a senior track commander and as the nuclear, biological, chemical noncommissioned officer in 1991.

Alvin married Linda Lee Randolph on August 16, 1986, in Salina, Kansas.  Alvin and Linda have five children between them.  Tamra Graves (with three children, six grandchildren), Tracey Bettes (with one child), Shelly Sheppard (with three children, three grandchildren), Janet Rasmussen (with one child, three grandchildren), and Jennie Bettes (with two children, four grandchildren).

Alvin worked at ADM Milling and Ginder Hydraulic in Salina for many years.  He enjoyed reading, history, prospecting, cowboy action shooting, storm chasing, amateur radio (call sign “Woodrat”), fishing, mountains, and telling Macy (granddaughter) all about the stars.

Remaining to cherish Alvin’s memory are his wife, five children, ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.  His sisters Mary Louise and Nancy Ann, brother Kenny, and numerous in laws, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina.  Military Honors will be provided by the Salina VFW Post 1432.

Memorials may be made to Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.