Larry J. Melius
Larry Melius, a faithful servant, loving Father of five, a Grandfather to eight, Great Grandfather to thirteen and Great, Great Grandfather to 1, died peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
He was born January 22, 1928, the oldest of seven children and spent his childhood in Wisconsin where he worked on their dairy farm. Larry joined the United States Air Force when he was seventeen and spent twenty years serving our country. He met the love of his life, Jean, while serving in Ohio. They shared sixty-six years of marriage, raising their family and serving their Lord together.
Larry moved his family to Oklahoma after his retirement from the Air Force to begin his second career with General Electric and its successors. He spent his career in the computer technology field ending with over two years spent in Singapore where he was instrumental in setting up a plant for Seagate.
Larry’s “retirement” didn’t last long as he quickly moved from his work life to his servant life. He was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond for over twenty-five years where he served in many positions. He served tirelessly and faithfully at the Samaritan House for several years and touched the lives of many people. He was a firm believer in the importance of education who never stopped learning and encouraged others to do the same. He was our walking encyclopedia.
He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Eileen, parents, Lawrence and Marjorie Melius and one brother, Marion. Surviving him are his four brothers, Bob and Laura Melius and Louis and Elsie Melius of Oregon; Lynn Melius and Don and Patti of Washington; his sister, Joyce and Gary Johnston of Oregon and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jean and four children, David Melius and wife Linda of Edmond, Dale Melius and wife Charlene of Edmond, Carol Booth and husband, Curtis of Houston, Texas and Diane Loesel and husband, John of Edmond. His Grandchildren are Jason Melius, Sonja and Chris Forth, Chelsea and Ryan Bradshaw, Carly and Brian Freeman, Daley and Travis Mendel, Scott and Adrian Booth, Dustin and Jenny Harth and John Loesel, Jr. His Great-Grandchildren are Taylor, Clayton, Caylee, Brody, Ramsey, Carder, Charlie, Jackson, Rex, Samuel, Isabel, Cameron and Sonora and His Great, Great Grandchild, Mia.
Larry never complained even when his health was failing in recent years, always answering with a smile and “just peachy” when asked how he was feeling. He believed in working hard, staying strong and showing love through actions. He will not be remembered by the disease that robbed him of his memory but by the intense love he always had for his family and those he saw in need.
We will celebrate Larry’s life and legacy on Saturday, June 10th at 10:00AM, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Samaritan House ministry or to the Time Out Program at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.