Melvin was born to Albert Melvin and Laila (Rodabaugh) Scarrow on October 26, 1923 in Stanford, Nebraska. After his mother passed away when he was five, he and his younger brother, Robert, were sent to live with his paternal grandparents Albert and Mary Ellen(Musgrave) who owned a ranch south of Fort Morgan. He attended a country school till high school.
After graduating from Fort Morgan high school, Melvin joined the Army and was sent to fight in the Pacific Campaign and was later stationed in Japan. After he was honorably discharged he returned to Colorado His grandparents had sold their ranch and purchased a ranch in the Grand Valley area, now known as Parachute. At a baseball game, he met Rhoda Scarrow and after a short courtship they were married on November 22, 1947.
Melvin began his teaching career teaching fifth grade in Rifle Colorado. He then attended college in Greeley, Colorado. He and Rhoda spent many summers in Gunnison, Colorado earning several degrees from Western State College. Melvin and Rhoda taught school in several schools throughout Colorado, Nebraska and the Marshall Islands.
Melvin earned his Specialist’s degree and was principal and superintendent of several of the schools where they worked. After retiring from teaching, Melvin grew bored and went to work at Walmart on 23rd Ave for fifteen years, working in the electronics department. Then he officially retired to enjoy his family, friends and his various interests.
Melvin loved spending time with his family, square dancing, playing cards and various games, raising chickens and pigeons, and reading. His yard was beautiful and his garden always produced many vegetables for his family and fellow employees at Walmart.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Rhoda of almost seventy-five years, his brother, Robert of Rifle, Colorado, his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his two daughters, Melva Scarrow and family, Mike McConnell and son Kuper; Leesa (Ted) Beckman and children, Kaylee, Garrett, Dylan and Cora Lea; Casey McConnell and sons Aidan and Emery all of the Greeley area; and by Kellee (Aaron) Anderson and daughter Piper from Aspen, Colorado. His younger daughter, Vicki (Mike) Eggen lives in Kearney, Nebraska. He is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces and numerous friends.
Melvin was the rock and foundation of our family. He held us to a high standard and loved us unconditionally. We learned much from him and he will be greatly missed by all of us.
Melvin’s family would like to express our appreciation for the care he received at Life Care for the time he lived there. He made many friends while there .
A funeral service for Melvin will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, Colorado 80634. Following the funeral service will be an interment at 11:00 A.M. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3400 W. 28th St., Greeley, Colorado 80634.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stoddardsunset.com for the Scarrow family.
