Melvin Ralph Gleason
1938-2019
On March 11, 2019 Melvin Ralph Gleason passed away peacefully in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born on June 16, 1938 to James Ralph and Lucy Mae Gleason in Wewoka, OK. In 1950, Melvin made Edmond his permanent home.
Melvin graduated from Edmond High School in 1956. Following graduation, he served as a Draftsman in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1957 – 1960. He then began working at Oklahoma Natural Gas as a Draftsman and retired in 1997, as a Relocation Coordinator. While working for ONG, Melvin attended night school at Central State College, earning a degree in Industrial Arts. He served 12 years as a state delegate for the American Public Works Association and was involved with Junior Achievement for several years. Melvin enjoyed participating in Boy Scouts and Junior AFROTC with his sons, acting as an Assistant Scout Master and chaperone on many scout camping trips and Junior AFROTC events. He was a loving and proud father and grandfather. Melvin has faithfully served the Edmond Church of Christ as a deacon since 1980. When he wasn't at the church he could be found working on cars, having coffee with old friends, or hunting with family members.
Melvin met the love of his life, Donna Gail Sharp, on a blind date in 1962, and married her shortly thereafter. They moved into their second, and final, home in Edmond March 1, 1968. During Melvin's free time, he added an addition on to their home, built a large shop where he could work on his cars, and designed and built a beautiful, expansive wood deck at the back of their home. There wasn't anything he couldn't design, build or repair!
He was preceded in death by his parents James Ralph and Lucy Mae Gleason, brother Roy, three sisters, Edna Hilterbran, Dovie Meyers, and Joy Gleason. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna, son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Valerie Gleason, son, David Gleason, and daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Chris Carr, all of Edmond; grandchildren Melissa (Gleason) & Michael Blanton and Joshua Gleason, of Oklahoma City, and Tyler and Abigail Carr of Edmond; and sister, Elaine Eck of Wewoka.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Edmond Church of Christ Vehicle Fund.
A special thank you to the staff at Autumn Leaves Assisted Living Memory Care of Edmond for their care and compassion.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Edmond Church of Christ.