Osage County, Oklahoma, Obituary: MELVIS RAY HORTON Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joann Brazee Osage County News Service (OCNS) http://ocns.freeyellow.com/ Email: ocns@hotmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MELVIS RAY HORTON OCNS - December 10, 2002 - Melvis Ray Horton, better known as "Mel" to his friends and family went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 4, 2002 at the age of seventy years, one month and twenty-six days. Services were held Saturday, December 7, in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Prue, Oklahoma, with Reverend Garry McDevitt officiating. Burial was in the family plot at Prairie View Cemetery in Prue under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc, Cleveland, Oklahoma. Mel was born October 8, 1932 in Osage, Oklahoma, the son of Commador Velt and Vera Mae (Cochran) Horton and was reared and educated in the Prue area. He had to drop out of school at a young age to help his family on the farm. In the late 1940's, the school did not have a mascot so Mel entered a contest and submitted the name "The Prue Rockets" and that is how the current name came about. He returned to school where he was active in sports, playing ton the basketball team. He graduated in 1953. A few years later, Mel became a member of the Prue School Board, a coach and was instrumental in helping the school borrow money, signed notes and save money in numerous ways. In 1945 Mel was "born again" was baptized and joined the Prue Baptist Church. May 26, 1953, during the Korean War, Mel was called to serve his country. August 21, 1955 Sergeant First Class Mel Horton received an Honorable release from active duty and returned to make his home in Prue. Mel's first job after being released from the service was as building superintendent of the First Christian Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma. For thirty-three years, Mel was employed with Goodman Church Builders and traveled to many different places building churches. March 20, 1971 in Detroit, Michigan, Mel was united in marriage to Viola Elizabeth (Hatfield) and in 1976, they moved to Lawton, Oklahoma then later moved to Prue, where he continued to make his home. Mel was a perfectionist in all of his endeavors and loved playing the fiddle, guitar and harmonica. He was a true peace keeper with many board members and friends. On each Fourth of July, Mel always had a retreat at Keystone Lake for all his friends and family. He was also a member of the Prue Baptist Church and the American Legion. Survivors include: His wife, Bobbie Horton of the home; children, Ellen Marie and husband, Ed Gray, of Groom, Texas; Samuel Ray Horton of Prue; Regina Carol Wells of Groom, Texas; Virgil Lee and wife, Valerie Traster of Prue; Jill Lynn and husband, David Molton, of Paris, Arkansas; Douglas Earl and wife, Michelle Horton of Prue; Angela Shawn and husband, John Goss of Sulphur Rock, Arkansas; mother, Vera Mae Horton of Prue; sisters, Naomi Youtsey of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Mary Ruth Combs of Osage, Oklahoma, Martha Reeves of Glencoe, Oklahoma and Carol Pickle of Cleveland, Oklahoma; brother, Monroe Horton of Oklahoma; twenty-five grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many numerous friends and family. Mel was preceded in death by is dad, son Melvis Wayne and a sister, Virginia Tilley.