Gene Norman Melvin

Gene Norman Melvin, age 90, of Laurel Hill, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2015.  He was born on June 14, 1924, in Hildebrand, OR. He was the youngest of four sons of the late Joseph E. Melvin and Prater Baggett. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, John, James and Joe Jr. He is survived by his three children; Gary Melvin (Debrae) of Poolesville, MD, Pamela Melvin of Lake Worth, FL, and Allen Melvin (Carlotta) of Crestview, FL. He is survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer Matute (Lazaro), Crestview, FL, Denise King (Marshall), Daphne, AL, Joseph Melvin (Traci), Frederick, MD, Leah Murphy, Gainesville, FL, and one great-grandchild, Franklin Gene King.

The life of Gene Melvin was a full and happy life, including family and friends. In 1933, his parents and three brothers returned from Oregon to the Baggett family farm in Laurel Hill to care for his grandfather, J.M. Baggett. Gene graduated from Laurel Hill School in 1942.  At the age of 18, he joined the Navy and started a life of traveling the world and living-abroad with his family.  His travels took him to such places as Alaska, Puerto Rico, Morocco and Cyprus. In 1946 he was on the ship with Admiral Byrd on his way to Antarctica. He served in active duty from 1942 to 1962.

Gene returned to the community he loved after living and working in Washington, DC for ten years.  He settled back in his hometown of Laurel Hill where he was reunited with his parents and many childhood friends. He was devoted to his loving family and his community where his family has lived since 1859.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at the Whitehurst-Powell Chapel. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Laurel Hill, FL. 

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