Melvin Marcus Pearce

Melvin Marcus Pearce was born to Thomas Marcus and Gertrude King Pearce in O'Donnell, where he was reared and graduated from high school in 1941. He died at the Texas Veterans Home in Temple.

In high school he lettered in football, basketball and tennis. In tennis, he won District and Regional in tennis singles. He graduated 6th in his graduating class. After high school, Melvin "Lefty" received an offer to play baseball with a minor league, but chose instead to serve his country at the outbreak of WWII. He played first base on his 499th squadron team, batting 500. He achieved the rank of Corporal before his discharge in October, 1945.

After the war, Melvin returned to the farm, but continued to play ball for the Oil Belt League. In 1951 he began working for Humble Oil & Refining Company/Exxon as an Instrument Technician where he worked until his retirement in 1984. He enjoyed hunting coyotes and fishing trips to the Delaware River near Loving, N.M., where he often took his children to build good relations. Outfitted with fishing poles, ham, eggs, potatoes, pork and beans and an iron skillet, he headed for the river for a couple of days of fun and feasting. His children count these times as among the fondest memories of their childhood.

Melvin was a hog breeder and served as Livestock Project Leader for the local 4-H club. He served as Swine superintendent at the Lea County Fair in New Mexico. Show pigs from his herd won prizes at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, El Paso International Livestock Show, and New Mexico State Fair along with numerous local and regional livestock shows. His children showed winning livestock from which they earned money toward their college educations.

In 1942, he married Charlotte Allyne "Jane" Garnett. They had six children.

After retirement Melvin and Jane moved to College Station, where he enjoyed fishing and Texas Aggie baseball games. His most enjoyable hobby was building model airplanes from scratch to ensure that each child, grandchild and great grandchild had one for a keepsake. He was a long-time member of Taylor Street Church of Christ in Hobbs, N.M., and later A&M Church of Christ in College Station until his death.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Thomas S. Pearce; his brother, G.R. Pearce; and two sisters, Emma Lee Bland and Zada Belle Seely.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; sons, Michael Pearce and wife Ann of Littleton, Colo., Stevan Pearce and wife Cynthia of Hobbs, N.M., Philip Pearce and wife Karen of College Station, and Gregory Pearce and wife Nita of Conway, Ark.; daughter, Tanis Stanfield and husband Glenn of Tomball; and a brother, Raymond Pearce and wife Opal of Graham. Also surviving him are 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being made by Rix Funeral Directors of Lubbock. Services will be 2 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008, at O'Donnell Methodist Church with burial following at O'Donnell Cemetery. Melvin will be buried near graves of his grandparents Gaines Russell and Emmaline Vaughn Pearce and his parents.

Source - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16679587