In college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War[1] and was stationed in Panmunjom, Korea, where he served in the military police.

In 2002, Altes ran for the vacated District 13 Senate seat and was re-elected in 2006.

In the 86th General Assembly, he served as Senate Minority Leader and Assistant President Pro Tempore.

He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Bobby and Ana, and six grandchildren, Cole, Caroline, Andrew, Madelyn, Gabriel, and Dallas.

Representative Altes and his wife are members of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he serves as a deacon.