On May 5, 2016, Melvin Fredrick Earnest was called home to be with the Lord. A celebration of his life will occur at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 11th at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held the evening before, on Tuesday, May 10th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., also at Hampton Vaughan.
Melvin, affectionately known as Mel, Bud, Dad, Pops, or Grandpa by those closest to him, was well-traveled, well-read, and, above all, well-loved. Born July 3, 1931 in Crete, Nebraska, Mel was raised in nearby Milford. At age 20 he was drafted into the Army's 21st Infantry regiment. After learning Morse code and training as a radio operator, he and his company were deployed to Korea.
After serving his country, Mel met and married his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Combs, a school teacher in his hometown of Milford. He attended the University of Nebraska--Lincoln on the GI Bill from 1954 to 1958, where he majored in Civil Engineering and graduated with honors. Mel was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. During those years, he and Mary Lou frequently danced to live performances by big-band icons such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Harry James.
Upon graduating, Mel began work at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (later PPG Industries) where he had a long and successful career. He was highly regarded by colleagues for his work ethic, sharp mind, and innate sense of fairness. He retired in 1996 after 38 years of work in PPG facilities across the country, including serving as Plant Engineer at PPG's Works No. 4 in Wichita Falls since the time of its construction in 1973.
But it was in retirement that he found the greatest job he ever had--helping his grandson Brandon Hudson build and race stock cars. As chief mechanic, chief engineer, and chief finance officer, he helped Brandon win the Red River Speedway Track Championship, Lightning Division, in 2001.
Over the years, Mel and Mary Lou visited a host of countries together, including China, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. In the early 2000s, they toured South Korea and even visited Pusan, where Mel had been stationed during his deployment 50 years earlier. Their favorite American destinations included Honolulu, Chicago, Las Vegas, New England, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and Civil War sites around the country.
Mel served on the Board of Directors of Camp Fire North Texas and volunteered with the organization for over two decades. He oversaw the construction and maintenance of the Harrell Park pool and facilities. He was also a long-time member of the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls, where he sold many a Christmas tree over the years.
He is survived by wife Mary Lou, sister Shirley, brother-in-law Ralph Ebers, and sister-in-law Dorothy Earnest, daughter Mary and son-in-law Phil Hudson, sons Fred Earnest and Billy Earnest, grandson Brandon Hudson, granddaughter Erin Hudson, and granddaughter Lauren Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mel's honor to Camp Fire North Texas or the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls. Online condolences may be made at www.HamptonVaughanCrestview.com.
Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home and Memorial Park
Wichita Falls, Texas
Melvin, affectionately known as Mel, Bud, Dad, Pops, or Grandpa by those closest to him, was well-traveled, well-read, and, above all, well-loved. Born July 3, 1931 in Crete, Nebraska, Mel was raised in nearby Milford. At age 20 he was drafted into the Army's 21st Infantry regiment. After learning Morse code and training as a radio operator, he and his company were deployed to Korea.
After serving his country, Mel met and married his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Combs, a school teacher in his hometown of Milford. He attended the University of Nebraska--Lincoln on the GI Bill from 1954 to 1958, where he majored in Civil Engineering and graduated with honors. Mel was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. During those years, he and Mary Lou frequently danced to live performances by big-band icons such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Harry James.
Upon graduating, Mel began work at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (later PPG Industries) where he had a long and successful career. He was highly regarded by colleagues for his work ethic, sharp mind, and innate sense of fairness. He retired in 1996 after 38 years of work in PPG facilities across the country, including serving as Plant Engineer at PPG's Works No. 4 in Wichita Falls since the time of its construction in 1973.
But it was in retirement that he found the greatest job he ever had--helping his grandson Brandon Hudson build and race stock cars. As chief mechanic, chief engineer, and chief finance officer, he helped Brandon win the Red River Speedway Track Championship, Lightning Division, in 2001.
Over the years, Mel and Mary Lou visited a host of countries together, including China, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. In the early 2000s, they toured South Korea and even visited Pusan, where Mel had been stationed during his deployment 50 years earlier. Their favorite American destinations included Honolulu, Chicago, Las Vegas, New England, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and Civil War sites around the country.
Mel served on the Board of Directors of Camp Fire North Texas and volunteered with the organization for over two decades. He oversaw the construction and maintenance of the Harrell Park pool and facilities. He was also a long-time member of the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls, where he sold many a Christmas tree over the years.
He is survived by wife Mary Lou, sister Shirley, brother-in-law Ralph Ebers, and sister-in-law Dorothy Earnest, daughter Mary and son-in-law Phil Hudson, sons Fred Earnest and Billy Earnest, grandson Brandon Hudson, granddaughter Erin Hudson, and granddaughter Lauren Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mel's honor to Camp Fire North Texas or the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls. Online condolences may be made at www.HamptonVaughanCrestview.com.
Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home and Memorial Park
Wichita Falls, Texas
On May 5, 2016, Melvin Fredrick Earnest was called home to be with the Lord. A celebration of his life will occur at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 11th at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held the evening before, on Tuesday, May 10th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., also at Hampton Vaughan.
Melvin, affectionately known as Mel, Bud, Dad, Pops, or Grandpa by those closest to him, was well-traveled, well-read, and, above all, well-loved. Born July 3, 1931 in Crete, Nebraska, Mel was raised in nearby Milford. At age 20 he was drafted into the Army's 21st Infantry regiment. After learning Morse code and training as a radio operator, he and his company were deployed to Korea.
After serving his country, Mel met and married his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Combs, a school teacher in his hometown of Milford. He attended the University of Nebraska--Lincoln on the GI Bill from 1954 to 1958, where he majored in Civil Engineering and graduated with honors. Mel was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. During those years, he and Mary Lou frequently danced to live performances by big-band icons such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Harry James.
Upon graduating, Mel began work at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (later PPG Industries) where he had a long and successful career. He was highly regarded by colleagues for his work ethic, sharp mind, and innate sense of fairness. He retired in 1996 after 38 years of work in PPG facilities across the country, including serving as Plant Engineer at PPG's Works No. 4 in Wichita Falls since the time of its construction in 1973.
But it was in retirement that he found the greatest job he ever had--helping his grandson Brandon Hudson build and race stock cars. As chief mechanic, chief engineer, and chief finance officer, he helped Brandon win the Red River Speedway Track Championship, Lightning Division, in 2001.
Over the years, Mel and Mary Lou visited a host of countries together, including China, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. In the early 2000s, they toured South Korea and even visited Pusan, where Mel had been stationed during his deployment 50 years earlier. Their favorite American destinations included Honolulu, Chicago, Las Vegas, New England, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and Civil War sites around the country.
Mel served on the Board of Directors of Camp Fire North Texas and volunteered with the organization for over two decades. He oversaw the construction and maintenance of the Harrell Park pool and facilities. He was also a long-time member of the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls, where he sold many a Christmas tree over the years.
He is survived by wife Mary Lou, sister Shirley, brother-in-law Ralph Ebers, and sister-in-law Dorothy Earnest, daughter Mary and son-in-law Phil Hudson, sons Fred Earnest and Billy Earnest, grandson Brandon Hudson, granddaughter Erin Hudson, and granddaughter Lauren Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mel's honor to Camp Fire North Texas or the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls. Online condolences may be made at www.HamptonVaughanCrestview.com.
Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home and Memorial Park
Wichita Falls, Texas
Melvin, affectionately known as Mel, Bud, Dad, Pops, or Grandpa by those closest to him, was well-traveled, well-read, and, above all, well-loved. Born July 3, 1931 in Crete, Nebraska, Mel was raised in nearby Milford. At age 20 he was drafted into the Army's 21st Infantry regiment. After learning Morse code and training as a radio operator, he and his company were deployed to Korea.
After serving his country, Mel met and married his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Combs, a school teacher in his hometown of Milford. He attended the University of Nebraska--Lincoln on the GI Bill from 1954 to 1958, where he majored in Civil Engineering and graduated with honors. Mel was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. During those years, he and Mary Lou frequently danced to live performances by big-band icons such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Harry James.
Upon graduating, Mel began work at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (later PPG Industries) where he had a long and successful career. He was highly regarded by colleagues for his work ethic, sharp mind, and innate sense of fairness. He retired in 1996 after 38 years of work in PPG facilities across the country, including serving as Plant Engineer at PPG's Works No. 4 in Wichita Falls since the time of its construction in 1973.
But it was in retirement that he found the greatest job he ever had--helping his grandson Brandon Hudson build and race stock cars. As chief mechanic, chief engineer, and chief finance officer, he helped Brandon win the Red River Speedway Track Championship, Lightning Division, in 2001.
Over the years, Mel and Mary Lou visited a host of countries together, including China, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. In the early 2000s, they toured South Korea and even visited Pusan, where Mel had been stationed during his deployment 50 years earlier. Their favorite American destinations included Honolulu, Chicago, Las Vegas, New England, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and Civil War sites around the country.
Mel served on the Board of Directors of Camp Fire North Texas and volunteered with the organization for over two decades. He oversaw the construction and maintenance of the Harrell Park pool and facilities. He was also a long-time member of the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls, where he sold many a Christmas tree over the years.
He is survived by wife Mary Lou, sister Shirley, brother-in-law Ralph Ebers, and sister-in-law Dorothy Earnest, daughter Mary and son-in-law Phil Hudson, sons Fred Earnest and Billy Earnest, grandson Brandon Hudson, granddaughter Erin Hudson, and granddaughter Lauren Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mel's honor to Camp Fire North Texas or the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls. Online condolences may be made at www.HamptonVaughanCrestview.com.
Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home and Memorial Park
Wichita Falls, Texas
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