Remembering Grandpa Leroy

 My Grandpa passed away recently. In the pictures that were shared during his memorial and viewing was a picture of my Grandpa with one of his teenage best friends standing in front of an old truck. I immediately thought of a letter Grandma had written to me on his behalf a few years ago talking about Grandpa's first truck. Sure enough this truck he was standing in front of was the very same she had written to me about. 

Grandpa is on the right. His friend Eugene Mchols (sp?) is on the left. 

I'll also include a copy of Grandma's letter as well as a link in case it's hard to read in this format. 

If this is too hard to read, try clicking here. 

I'm also going to include a few other pictures of Grandpa that were new to me and a few that aren't:

Leroy and Betty June

Young Grandpa (Leroy) with his Dad (OZ aka Trig) and their HUGE watermelons

Grandpa's first and only remaining cousin on his mother's side, Stanley, told us at Grandpa's memorial, that  Trig and Leroy had won the blue ribbon at the county fair for these watermelons and someone took their cane and jabbed it into the prize melon in order to get some seeds!

Grandpa holding baby Diane

Oz, Bondell, Betty June and Leroy

Reine on Leroy's lap, Michelle on Reba's lap and Diane

Obituary

Leroy Harrison Melson

Age 84, a resident of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, passed away Friday, June 18, 2021 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was born April 13, 1937 in Oark, Arkansas, the son of O.Z. and Bondell (Bynum) Melson.

Leroy worked for the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park for fourteen years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Steven Melson and one sister Betty June Young.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years Rebecca Stepp Melson; three daughters Karen "Diane" Walls of Bismarck, Arkansas, Denise "Reine" Moore and her husband Steve of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Michelle Hyler also of Prairie Grove; six grandchildren Landon Patterson, Preston Patterson, Christy Hood, Becky Drake, Tyler Moore and Bradley Smith, thirteen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Burial will be Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 AM in Evans Cemetery in Pettigrew, Arkansas.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Circle of Life Hospice for the loving care given to Leroy.

Grandpa will be missed by many. He left a legacy of many people who will cherish him and remember him fondly. 

Until next time, 
Becky