Melvin Patterson Polen passed away peacefully on January 4, 2019, at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas at the age of 88. Melvin was born on July 18, 1930, in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of Mary Irene Patterson and Lloyd Lewis Polen. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and served for 20 years, training as a Hospital Corpsman and qualifying in submarines. His distinguished service awards included a Korean Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, and several Good Conduct Medals.
Following his military retirement, Melvin and his family moved to EL Paso, Texas, where Melvin worked for several automobile dealerships before returning to school to study accounting. He subsequently ran a thriving bookkeeping practice serving small businesses in the El Paso area. Melvin relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in the late 1970s, where he embarked upon a long and successful career in insurance sales.
Melvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and also was active in the Elk’s Lodge. He devoted much of his free time to these institutions, as well as to the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc. Dallas base. Melvin enjoyed traveling, sports, music, and dancing. He was also a history buff and particularly enjoyed visiting our nation’s capital. Melvin was known for his great sense of humor and always enjoyed making people laugh. He adored children and was also known for taking in many a stray pet.
Melvin is survived by his daughters Danielle M. Polen, of Washington, D.C., Lisa M. Davidson, of Midway, Utah, Karen Hunsicker and Keely Scamperle, both of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, his son Mark Polen, also of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and several grandchildren. Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a son, Jeffrey Polen, and two brothers, Lloyd and Arthur Polen. His marriages ended in divorce.
Melvin’s family is extremely grateful to the entire team at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home for their outstanding care, compassion, and professionalism—especially to the staff of the “D Wing.”
A celebration of Melvin’s life will be held at Grove Hill Funeral Home, with visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2019, and a Memorial Service on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park. www.grove-hill.com, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75228.
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