Cletis Mebs Melvin Hoage Sr.

Cletis Melvin Hoage of Ozark, Alabama (formerly of Oregon) passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 83. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011, at the chapel of Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home with Rev. William Hart and Rev. Cletis Melvin Hoage, Jr. officiating and Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held Friday, January 7, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home.

Mel (as he was known by many) entered the military service at the age of 16. He fought in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Virgin Islands Uprising, Belgium Congo Uprising, and the Panama Uprising. He was a brave man who earned 9 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 5 Accommodation Ribbons, Belgium Jump Wings, Occupational Medal, 2 Air Medals, French Lacquer Ribbon, Master Paratrooper Wings, Senior Crew Chief Wings, and Vietnam Police Action Ribbon. Mel was also a P.O.W. in WWII. He was an instructor of Helicopter Maintenance School at Fort Rucker. Mel left the Army after 23 years of service, but was called back to active duty to go back to Vietnam. He retired as a MSG E-8 in Fort Lewis, Washington after 25 years of service. Mel then moved to Florida where he went to school and earned his Master Electrician Degree. While in Florida he was President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a lifetime member of the American Legions. He helped a lot of people through these organizations. Mel then moved to Ozark to be close to his children. He again started helping people by donating to the Relay for Life. He worked for a short time at the Ozark Country Club. Mel then retired again, but gave a lot of his day to Wal-Mart Pharmacy Department. He donated to many charities to help children because of his love for children.Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen Bertram and Rebecca Ella Carrow Hoage, and two sons, James Alexander Hoage, I and Karl Hoage. Mel is survived by seven children: Teresa K. Tidwell and husband, David, of Grandview, ID, Cletis Melvin Hoage, Jr. and wife, Becky, of Bonney Lake, WA, Stepheni Deese of Dothan, AL, Eva Syples and husband, Bobby, of Ozark, AL, Gladys Henderson and husband, Jacque, of Killeen, TX, Steven Lamont Hoage and wife, Brenda, of Ozark, AL, and Sonja Jorgensen of Killeen, TX; seven brothers; five sisters; 36 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a special friend, Ms. Lottie; an adopted daughter, Krista Evans; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Condolences may be offered and additional information obtained @ www.fuquabankston.com Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home, 508 Faust Avenue, Ozark, AL 36360 is in charge of arrangements. 334-774-4551 A Dignity Memorial Provider