Melvin Ralph Gleason

Melvin Ralph Gleasongleason , melvin pic

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.

7 thoughts on “Melvin Ralph Gleason”

  1. Randy Roper

    There is no way to know the number of hours Melvin put in as a volunteer at church. Countless hours, committed service. That’s Melvin. He was always there to offer help to someone in need. I’ll think of him and grin when someone leaves the door open “too long” at church or takes a beverage into the auditorium.
    Enter your rest, my friend!

  2. Dana Leach

    Not until heaven will we know the countless lives changed by Melvin’s quiet service to others. I know mine for sure was. Love to all of his family.

  3. Greg Manhalter

    Melvin was a great friend and a great example of what a servant should be. He will missed very much. Prayers go out to his great family.

  4. Dana Hinkle

    Melvin Gleason was the nicest man I ever met! He always had a smile when I saw him and he worked tirelessly for the Lord. He cared about everyone and wanted to help. He worked on my kids cars too! He was a wonderful person! He will be greatly missed!!! Much love and prayers to sweet Donna and family.
    Dana Hinkle (Holley)

  5. Melvin was always a wonderful friend, advisor, and occasional car fixer! I loved the time I spent with him in his shop while he was working on a project. He reminded me much of my father. Though I am sad for his loss, I am glad for his rest and reward.

  6. John Newhouse

    Melvin is a great ambassador for Jesus Christ, and the love of Christ was always evident in his life and was extended to everybody he met. One of my favorite memories of him was when he stopped by my office and laid down ice-melt a day before we were to have some winter weather. While thanking him, I asked him why he did that, and he said, “I just wanted to make sure you and Martha [my assistant] would be safe getting to your cars.” What a prince! If you ever wanted proof that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave and is Lord, you only need to look at the life of Melvin Gleason and see all those who he touched in Christ’s name. God bless our friend and his family.

  7. Terry Welch

    Melvin put the bar high for all men ! Truly a one of a kind great man ! Going to miss Melvin and hopefully we can be neighbors in heaven. Great neighbor and friend you will be missed.

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