Charles "Pete" R. Medlin Sr.

Northwest Louisiana War Veteran’s Home. Family members were blessed to have visited with him that evening and to assure him that he was not alone. Pete (“Pawpaw,” to many) was a solid member of that “greatest generation,” having been born August 2, 1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

He is predeceased by his mother and father, Esther and Jesse Medlin, and three of his siblings, Sonny, George and Jeannie, his only surviving sibling being Dr. D. K. Medlin (and partner Barbara). Pawpaw also is predeceased by his first wife of 45 years, Nelwyn Hoell Medlin, his second wife, Eileen Yearwood Medlin, and his son Charles Ray Medlin, Jr. (“Woody,” who died February 14, 2020).

Pete is survived by wife Lola Mikovich Medlin, who shared almost 11 years of marriage with

him, and two children, Cindy McAllister (Rick) and Deryl Medlin (Sonya). Pawpaw loved, and

beamed with pride about, his 7 grandchildren and his other descendants: David and Keith Lewis;

Andrew (Tara), Laura and Phillip Medlin; and, Michael D. Medlin and Michelle Medlin Jacobs

(Marc), together with seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pete’s family also included Lola’s children, Steve (Tracy), Greg, Michael, and Carla (deceased), as well as Steve’s and Carla’s children, Hannah, Austin, Carly (Doss) (and infant son Charlie) and Chase. Pawpaw was loved by many and will be missed.

Pete was a proud graduate of C.E. Byrd High School in its heyday, when nationally the

School was known for the achievements of its students and athletes. He joined the United States

Marine Corps upon graduation and immediately vacationed in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea at -40 degrees, where he suffered serious injuries from which he awoke in a hospital in Japan wrapped in bandages, but grateful to be living. Pete received an honorable discharge and a stack of medals, then returned stateside a proud Marine, soon to marry Nel in 1951 and to begin his family and his working life.

After several short-term jobs, Pete went back to government work with the Post Office,where he excelled; his last three stints were as Postmaster in Mer Rouge, Haughton and DeRidder, before retirement at age 55.

Pawpaw loved lakes, and at various times lived on Lake D’Arbonne, Lake Claiborne, and Lake Bistineau. He loved to bass fish, run trot lines, and drink a cold Budweiser and entertain family and friends by the lake. Pawpaw loved his LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints, and supported them avidly throughout life. He watched Jeopardy almost every day. A week before he died, Pawpaw was watching Bonanza in the hospital, and he enjoyed all cowboy programs and movies, Viking stories, too. Pete loved all kinds of music, but especially beautiful Irish wailing ballads that make people cry, country music, even Demi Lovato (he surprisingly disclosed one Grammy night). Pawpaw did not like Hippies or communists and was not shy about expressing his opinions, sometimes with an added dose of humor. Pete enjoyed Mardi Gras, especially the krewes of Justinian and Centaur. He rode on floats with Lola in the Centaur Parade, threw beads, and attended grand balls and coronations. Pete shared jokes and humorous stories in Sunday School, to lighten the mood. Mostly though, Pawpaw love traveling all over this great land and seeing the beautiful vistas, whether by car with family in tow to California and the western states, or to Big Bend National Park, or to the Florida beaches at St. George Island, Panama City Beach or Destin, or by bus later in life with Lola and travel mates, to experience the majesty of the Wild West and the national parks.

A visitation to celebrate the life of Pete Medlin will be hosted at Centuries Memorial, 8801 Mansfield Road, on Sunday, February 28 from 3:00 to 5:00, and his funeral service will occur on

Monday, March 1st at 10:30 a.m. at Celebration Church, 8645 Business Park Drive, in the Auto Mall area off E. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop. Honored pallbearers are members of Pete’s family, Keith Lewis, Rick McAllister, Andrew Medlin, Laura Medlin, Steve Mikovich, and Chase Weaver.

Those in attendance kindly are encouraged to follow the COVID-19 protocols, with appropriate masking and social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, Pawpaw requested that donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Celebration Church Building Fund, or other worthy organizations be considered.