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OBERST -- MEL Passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012. Mel was born in Okeen, OK where he grew up assisting his family operating a cafe and ice cream parlor. He said, "I used to stand on a crate when I was little to do all the dishes." Upon graduation from high school he moved to Woodward, OK to help in a grocery store that was damaged by a tornado. In Woodward he met and fell in love with Alice Walker, the love of his life. Mel was called up in the draft for the Korean War. Alice wanted him to marry her before he left but he said that would not be right if something happened to him. He did, however, write letters to her every day. Three days after he returned, in 1952, they were married. Mel used the GI Bill to attend college where he earned a degree in engineering and started his career with Sandia National Labs. Later, he went back to his roots, owning a cafe and ice cream parlor where he specialized in creating custom character shaped pancakes. Mel was an excellent Electrical Engineer, but his first love was his true life's work; that of husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He spent many joyful days and years expressing his playful spirit and love of family being involved in Scouts, school, church activities, family celebrations, memorable vacations, delightful holidays, and some water fights on the roof of the house. He and Alice gave great time and attention to their seven kids and built a lasting legacy of love, work, and gratitude, through spiritual teaching and as living examples. In addition to his seven kids and their spouses, Mel had 18 grandkids and four great-grandkids. He took particular delight in seeing his kids and grandkids become successful in their careers and in establishing loving homes. We will all miss him a great deal and are comforted by the thought that he is with Alice again; sharing the love and affection that made them such a beautiful couple. Friends may visit French - Wyoming Chapel Saturday, May 12, 2012 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Services will be 4:00 p.m., also at French - Wyoming Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PeacePrints Prison Ministries of Buffalo or St. Martin's Homeless Shelter. Please visit our online guestbook for Mel at www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Fri May 11, 2012