Melvin Lee Flood, longtime resident of Arlington, TX, died peacefully Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Arlington Memorial Hospital. Melvin was born March 9, 1930 in Lane, OK. He attended Atoka High School where during the 9th grade he jumped out of a window to avoid a “whoopin’” and never looked back.
He went on to serve in the United States Army and the United States Navy and settled in Arlington, TX where he learned the art of surveying. Melvin knew every street in Arlington as he surveyed all of them and was a living historian on the city he loved so much. Despite not having a high school diploma, Melvin was an excellent surveyor and his family often remembers him completing surveys by hand with complicated geometry and trigonometry equations that would put any AP or college level math class to shame. He retired from the City of Arlington in 1995 and missed working so much, he started his own private surveying company part time until he retired again well into his 80s.
Melvin, or “Papa” as his 11 grandchildren called him, was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and never missed watching a game, oftentimes with a cowbell in hand. He also loved watching the Texas Rangers. Melvin’s true passion was gardening and his backyard was a flourishing bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables every spring and fall. He could be found back there daily, riding his tractor in his overalls.
Melvin and his wife of 65 years, Betty, loved country music and were season ticket holders of the Arlington institution Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue for years. They were there every Friday for the music and comedy, and Melvin always had a joke ready for anyone to cross his path.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Betty; their three children: Sandra Fine, Wesley Flood, and Cindy Ricketson, daughter-in-law Deanna Flood, and sons-in-law Dan Ricketson and Allan Fine; nine grandchildren: Christina, Amanda, Jason, Stefanie, Heather, Emily, Amy, Kimberly, and Jennifer; and 13 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way!). He is preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda; mother, Polly; father, Sam; brothers, Sam and Tommy; two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Melvin Flood received his final salute leaving Arlington Memorial Hospital with a draping flag in recognition of his service to our country. Hospital employees paused and recognized a life well lived with his wife, three children and spouses, and nine grandchildren following behind. Fair winds and following seas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Flood family.
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