Melvin Pearl McDowell was born on April 12, 1921 in Kirksville, Missouri to Robert Pearl and Mabel Laura McDowell. He grew up in Licking, Missouri. He was the eldest brother to Vurtis and Bob McDowell.
Melvin was drafted into WWII in 1942 where he served in the Army's 94th Infantry. He served our country overseas in Czechoslovakia, Germany and France earning his Honorable Discharge December 29, 1945. Upon returning stateside he came to reside in Oildale joining his parents who had moved here during the war. He met Willa Mae Rogers in 1951. After a 4 year courtship they married and remained so for 58 years until his passing.
Melvin taught primary grades 4, 5, and 6 culminating in a 33 year career. He taught at Beardsley School District for 31 of those years retiring in 1988.
As an avid car enthusiast, Melvin was a founding member of the Bakersfield Model A Ford Club which later branched out into a national car club (Model A Ford Clubs of America - MAFCA). As a retired school teacher, he often attended Retired Teacher Luncheons accompanied by his 'honeybunches', Willa Mae. Retirement was also a ticket to the roads for Melvin as he and Willa Mae traveled to high school reunions in Missouri and 94th Infantry Reunions nationwide always making sure to visit old friends and family along the way.
Although Melvin was a man of few words, he was always present, supportive, and loving with his family. He is survived by his wife, Willa Mae and their three children, Mary Chavez (Armando), Tim (Debbie), Jim (Debbie). He will live on in his 9 grandchildren, Kimber Hardin (Ty), Austin Chavez, Jessica Liebenow (Jerry), Tim Jr., Kelsey, Cordell, Kyle, Mallorie, and Caleb McDowell and in his great grand-daughter, Lainey Liebenow.
Published in Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2014.
Melvin was drafted into WWII in 1942 where he served in the Army's 94th Infantry. He served our country overseas in Czechoslovakia, Germany and France earning his Honorable Discharge December 29, 1945. Upon returning stateside he came to reside in Oildale joining his parents who had moved here during the war. He met Willa Mae Rogers in 1951. After a 4 year courtship they married and remained so for 58 years until his passing.
Melvin taught primary grades 4, 5, and 6 culminating in a 33 year career. He taught at Beardsley School District for 31 of those years retiring in 1988.
As an avid car enthusiast, Melvin was a founding member of the Bakersfield Model A Ford Club which later branched out into a national car club (Model A Ford Clubs of America - MAFCA). As a retired school teacher, he often attended Retired Teacher Luncheons accompanied by his 'honeybunches', Willa Mae. Retirement was also a ticket to the roads for Melvin as he and Willa Mae traveled to high school reunions in Missouri and 94th Infantry Reunions nationwide always making sure to visit old friends and family along the way.
Although Melvin was a man of few words, he was always present, supportive, and loving with his family. He is survived by his wife, Willa Mae and their three children, Mary Chavez (Armando), Tim (Debbie), Jim (Debbie). He will live on in his 9 grandchildren, Kimber Hardin (Ty), Austin Chavez, Jessica Liebenow (Jerry), Tim Jr., Kelsey, Cordell, Kyle, Mallorie, and Caleb McDowell and in his great grand-daughter, Lainey Liebenow.
Published in Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2014.
Melvin Pearl McDowell was born on April 12, 1921 in Kirksville, Missouri to Robert Pearl and Mabel Laura McDowell. He grew up in Licking, Missouri. He was the eldest brother to Vurtis and Bob McDowell.
Melvin was drafted into WWII in 1942 where he served in the Army's 94th Infantry. He served our country overseas in Czechoslovakia, Germany and France earning his Honorable Discharge December 29, 1945. Upon returning stateside he came to reside in Oildale joining his parents who had moved here during the war. He met Willa Mae Rogers in 1951. After a 4 year courtship they married and remained so for 58 years until his passing.
Melvin taught primary grades 4, 5, and 6 culminating in a 33 year career. He taught at Beardsley School District for 31 of those years retiring in 1988.
As an avid car enthusiast, Melvin was a founding member of the Bakersfield Model A Ford Club which later branched out into a national car club (Model A Ford Clubs of America - MAFCA). As a retired school teacher, he often attended Retired Teacher Luncheons accompanied by his 'honeybunches', Willa Mae. Retirement was also a ticket to the roads for Melvin as he and Willa Mae traveled to high school reunions in Missouri and 94th Infantry Reunions nationwide always making sure to visit old friends and family along the way.
Although Melvin was a man of few words, he was always present, supportive, and loving with his family. He is survived by his wife, Willa Mae and their three children, Mary Chavez (Armando), Tim (Debbie), Jim (Debbie). He will live on in his 9 grandchildren, Kimber Hardin (Ty), Austin Chavez, Jessica Liebenow (Jerry), Tim Jr., Kelsey, Cordell, Kyle, Mallorie, and Caleb McDowell and in his great grand-daughter, Lainey Liebenow.
Published in Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2014.
Melvin was drafted into WWII in 1942 where he served in the Army's 94th Infantry. He served our country overseas in Czechoslovakia, Germany and France earning his Honorable Discharge December 29, 1945. Upon returning stateside he came to reside in Oildale joining his parents who had moved here during the war. He met Willa Mae Rogers in 1951. After a 4 year courtship they married and remained so for 58 years until his passing.
Melvin taught primary grades 4, 5, and 6 culminating in a 33 year career. He taught at Beardsley School District for 31 of those years retiring in 1988.
As an avid car enthusiast, Melvin was a founding member of the Bakersfield Model A Ford Club which later branched out into a national car club (Model A Ford Clubs of America - MAFCA). As a retired school teacher, he often attended Retired Teacher Luncheons accompanied by his 'honeybunches', Willa Mae. Retirement was also a ticket to the roads for Melvin as he and Willa Mae traveled to high school reunions in Missouri and 94th Infantry Reunions nationwide always making sure to visit old friends and family along the way.
Although Melvin was a man of few words, he was always present, supportive, and loving with his family. He is survived by his wife, Willa Mae and their three children, Mary Chavez (Armando), Tim (Debbie), Jim (Debbie). He will live on in his 9 grandchildren, Kimber Hardin (Ty), Austin Chavez, Jessica Liebenow (Jerry), Tim Jr., Kelsey, Cordell, Kyle, Mallorie, and Caleb McDowell and in his great grand-daughter, Lainey Liebenow.
Published in Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2014.
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