Melvin E. Smith

Melvin E. Smith Born June 22, 1936; went home to God April 10, 2002 after a valiant battle with the effects of a sudden illness. Born to Orville and Opal Smith in Davenport, Oklahoma, Melvin attended and graduated Davenport High School. After earning a degree in finance from Central State College, Melvin proudly served in the United States Army. When he returned to civilian life, Melvin started a career with Champlin Petroleumlater Union Pacific Petroleum Resources which was to last until he retired 34 years later. While employed with Champlin/UP, Melvin worked as a District Finance Supervisor, Administration Supervisor and finally dispatcher over gas at the Carthage, Texas plant. Melvin loved golf, hunting, fishing, woodwork, gardening, and ''squirrel wrangling.'' He ?worked? with his great friends on the golf course as often as the weather permitted. He will be sorely missed by all of the folks on the Woodhollow Golf Course. Melvin leaves behind his loving wife, Barbara Smith, with whom he shared the past 17 years. Melvin was a step-fatherin name only to a large family - in their hearts and in his, he was a dad in every sense of the word to Greg and Michele Stewart, Les and Pam Ferguson, and Michael Ferguson, all of Longview; Charles and Mellissa McCreary of Kilgore; Kelly and Jennifer Ferguson of Gilmer; and Wayne and Tommie Whitten of Palestine. Melvin was the adored ''Paw Paw'' to the grandchildren who were the light of his life: Matt and Jennifer Stewart; Jacque, Chase and Alex Ferguson; Rachel, Rebecca and Molly McCreary; Spenser Snyder and Brett Alan Whitten; Austin Baker; and Autumn Ferguson. Melvin is survived by his sister, Dawanna Lamb of Davenport, OK; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and George Blaney of Davenport, OK, Joyce and Bobby Henry of Oklahoma City, OK and a host of nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. Family visitation will be from 6 - 8 PM on Friday, April 12th at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Services will be held 10 AM Saturday, April 13th at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Rev. Dewayne Beaty officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Park on Hwy. 1844. Pallbearers will be Max Rowe, Bill Turner, Bill and Bob Bivens, Clyde Hughes and Joe DesLatte; honorary pallbearers will be the golfers at Woodhollow Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, donations my be made to either the Mike Politi Memorial Golf Scholarship Fundc/o Woodhollow Golf Course or to Hospice Longview.

Melvin E. Smith

June 22, 1936 - April 10, 2002