Alton "AJ" "Shorty" Trahan, 72, died on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Visitation will be held for two hours prior to the funeral service. Alton John, known to his family as "A.J." and his friends as "Shorty" was born on August 15, 1939 in Bell City, Louisiana, to John and Olive (Choate) Trahan. He was baptized on August 29, 1939. He grew up and attended school in Sulphur, LA. He worked off shores in the Gulf of Mexico on shrimping boats. He worked with the Matt Armstrong Carnival traveling all over the United States and Canada for 29 years. He worked mostly with the games and rides. While working in Thief River Falls he met his future wife Darlene Iris Erickson. They were married on May 29, 1987 in Thief River Falls. They traveled with the carnival for about four months, then lived near San Antonio, Texas for a year and a half. They then made home in Louisiana for about ten years. In 1986, Shorty worked at Arctic Cat before moving to Texas and then worked there again for about two years in 99 and 2000. In 1999, they returned to Thief River Falls where they have lived since. Shorty was a cowboy at heart who loved riding horses. He enjoyed working with a Sheriff's posse in Texas. Watching old time Western's was great joy. He also enjoyed fishing. Jumping in the car or on a motorcycle and driving around touring the country side was a favorite past time. He also enjoyed card playing, the casino, and working on the computer. He is survived by his wife Darlene, Thief River Falls, Darlene's son Chad (Jennifer) Erickson and their children Justice, Glen and Michael, Grand Forks, ND, Alton's son, Dean Trahan, San Antonia, TX, siblings, Gene Trahan, Sulphur, LA, Ida Mae (Abbie) Gaspard, Lake Charles, LA, Oliver (Sharon) Trahan, Sulphur, LA, Jeanette Fontenot, Lake Charles, LA, Roger Trahan, Lafayette, LA, Billy (Kathy) Trahan, Sulphur, LA, Louis (Donna) Trahan, Sulphur, LA, Simon Trahan, Sulphur, LA, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother Elmer.