After high school, he joined the US Navy and assigned as boilermaker on the USS Chauncey (DD-667) prior to heading for Korea. During this period, he made lifelong friendships with many of his shipmates. After being Honorably Discharged in 1955, he took employment with Amerada Oil Company (later Amerada Hess) as a mechanic. Over the years he worked his way up the ladder to becoming the Texas Gulf Coast Operations Superintendent (Bloomington/Victoria), later the Southern US Operations Superintendent (Laurel, MS).
In 1979, after 24 years, he took early retirement and relocated back to Victoria. At this point in his career, Melvin decided to venture out on his own, as a Drilling Consultant. Over the next 29 years, he would primarily work in the Gulf of Mexico. He carved out a reputation that earned respect from those who worked with him, for his “hands-on” approach and professionalism in his field. He retired in 2008.
He earned and was awarded his 32nd Degree Mason (Scottish Rite) and Shriner status.
His passion of golf would lead him to many courses over the U.S. An active member of API and its associated golf tournaments/activities in Victoria. Member of the Victoria Country Club.
Melvin was welcomed into Heaven by his Lord & Savior; his great-grandson, Gabriel Brandon Lassman; his parents; and his brother and sisters, Ferrell Leon Green at 5 years of age, Frances Pearl Blanton and Maxine Orvita Watts.
He is survived by his daughters, Gwen Thomason (Perry) of Victoria, TX and Tahnee Stall (Mike) of Spring, TX; 6 grandchildren: Kori Lassman (Chance), Ryan Thomason (Kristen), Heather Arriola (Alfred) Cibolo TX and Amanda Isaac (Todd) Lake Charles LA, Erika Spannagel (Robert) Spring TX and Clarissa Stall Spring TX; 14 great-grandchildren: Emery, Makenna and Ashlyn (Lassman), Wyatt, Zoey & Olivia (Spannagel), Houston and Bailey (Thomason), Ethan and Airman First Class USAF Meadow (Arriola) and Laniyah, Kaleah, Nakyla (Isaac) and 1st Lieutenant USAF Jordan Thomason; along with two nieces, three nephews and their children.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 from 5-7PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, with rosary beginning at 7PM. A graveside service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10AM at Oak Grove Cemetery, Farm to Market Road 318 E, Yoakum, Texas 77995. Serving as pallbearers are Perry Thomason, Meadow Arriola, Ryan Thomason, Amanda Isaac and Ethan Arriola.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
