A graveside memorial service for Melvin F. Brown is scheduled for Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Glenrock Cemetery. Mel died after a short battle with cancer at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions Kloefkorn Home in Casper on August 11, 2012.
Mel was born on February 11, 1924 in Florence, Kansas to Mary Elizabeth Graham Brown and John Franklin Brown. He attended El Dorado High School until 1942. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 224th and 307th Airborne Medical Companies during World War II in Europe. During his service he received numerous awards including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1949.
After his service in the Army, he returned to Kansas and went to work for CE Natco in El Dorado in 1949. After nearly 40 years with CE Natco, he retired in 1989. He worked in Williston, North Dakota; Gillette; Kalkaska, Michigan and finally Casper.
He married Martha Lee Jean Bailey in Gillette and they had a daughter, Pamela Marie. They later divorced. In 1976 he married Barbara Orndorff Stice in Kalkaska, Michigan. Mel enjoyed fishing, hunting, horses, and snowmobiling. In all the places he lived, he made the most his time with his family and the things they loved to do.
Mel is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Pam Manson (William) of Gillette, stepdaughters Connie Blake (John) of Glenrock, Deb Bohart (Jim) of Glenrock and Kim McJunkin (Pat) of Casper, stepson Mike Orndorff of Casper, 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and a step father Charles Watchaus. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Glenrock Senior Center or Central Wyoming Hospice.
To share a memory of Mel or to leave a special message of condolence for his family, please visit the guestbook below.