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Mark Leo Melson lived a long life during a remarkable time in history. He was 97 years old when he went to be with the Lord on Dec. 25, 2016, at the Chandler Nursing Center.
He was born October 29, 1919, on the family farm SE of Chandler to Floyd Delman Melson and Sarah Bessie (Lee) Melson and was the 5th of their 11 children. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1937. He was a lifelong parishioner and active supporter of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, and served as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mark cherished the many friendships made in faith at OLS.
Mark married Lorena Acord on September 9, 1941, and then served in the Army during WWII from June 1942 through June 22, 1945 as a switchboard operator. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He also received the Order of Magellan Certificate commemorating his circumnavigation of the globe.
After the war, Mark was a farmer first. He began working at Robberson Steel in 1960 and then retired in 1985. For many years, he enjoyed a wonderful retirement with Lorena. They celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary before she passed away in 2003. When health issues arose, he moved from the farm to the Chandler Nursing Center in 2013.
Mark enjoyed family, fishing, the OU Sooners and he dominated at dominoes! He especially loved watching his children and grandchildren play various sports at his alma mater, Davenport. He leaves a legacy of honesty, ethics and hard work. As part of the Greatest Generation, he will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him.
Preceding him in death are his parents; his wife, Lorena; one son, Anthony Dean; his brothers, F.D., William, Richard, Charles “Chan,” John, Lloyd and Maurice; and one sister, Catherine Forbis. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Pauline Melson of Watseka, Ill.; one sister, Sr. Martha Therese (Margaret Helen) of Duarte, Calif.; sister-in-law Geneva Melson of Hennessey, Okla.; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Carol Melson, James and Allison Melson, Carl “Gene” and Edna Melson, Mike and Sheila Melson and Rick and Darla Melson, all of Chandler; daughters Shirley Holleman and Mary Anderson of Chandler and daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Allen Smith of Oklahoma City. Mark was blessed with 21 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Viewing will continue through Thursday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Chandler. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 30 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and interment will be at The Chandler Catholic cemetery.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff of the Chandler Nursing Center for their loving care in his final years.
Memorial donations can be made to: The OLS Hall Building Fund, P.O. Box 543., Chandler, OK 74834.
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