Marvin Glen Melton

Marvin Glen Melton (PawPaw) passed away peacefully May 23, 2020 at Mansfield Nursing Center in Mansfield, LA at the age of 87. Funeral services honoring his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA. Officiating will be Bro. Toby Shaw with Pat Cobbs assisting. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, LA. Visitation will be from 5 PM to 8PM, with the family hour starting at 4 Rose-Neath Funeral Home on May 26, 2020. Marvin was born on April 19, 1933 to Jessie Franklin and Ona Pallie Davis Melton in Mansfield, LA. He was raised in the country along with his 4 siblings, where he learned the value of family and hard work. Entertainment came in the form of hunting, fishing, and an occasional trip to town to catch a cowboy movie. He began formal education at Mansfield Elementary School where his love of books and reading began. Later years at Mansfield High School brought him friends, the love of history, and the game of football. Upon graduating in June of 1951, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 23, 1951. It was time to serve his country, see some of the world, and further his education. The military taught him many things that he carried with him for the rest of his life. After a 4 year tour with the Marines, he came home to enroll in Northwestern State University. While attending NSU, Marvin married Gertie Dale Slay on February 19, 1955. Times were tough. He left Northwestern to join the workforce to help support his family. At this point, he began a lifelong career in law enforcement that started with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department under Harmon Burgess for 8 years. It was time for a change, DeSoto Parish needed a resident state trooper and he was approached to fill this void. His service began on July 1, 1964 with the Louisiana State Police. He served and protected DeSoto Parish with a firm sense of the law, but tempered it with fairness and compassion, until his retirement in 1980. Longtime friend and fellow state trooper, Frenchie Lambert became sheriff and enlisted him to become part of the investigative team with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department. There, he continued to serve with a team of men who shared the same desire for truth and justice for 12 years. Thinking of retirement, he was then persuaded to carry on in the role of a probation officer for another 8 years. At the age of 67, he finally retired after 48 years of combined military and law enforcement service. His life also included the love of the outdoors. Camping, fishing, and hunting (especially for birds) with his friends and family was one of his greatest joys. Another passion was taking to the sky in his plane, which he loved to fly. His love for football followed him for his entire life, with great gusto for LSU. Marvin will be remembered for his teasing jokes and his wildly entertaining stories. He loved the Lord and while serving the residents of Louisiana and DeSoto Parish, he served as a deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mansfield for over 25 years. Later in life, he loved to attend and worship at the 1st Community Church of Mansfield, where he was a member. Marvin is preceded in death by parents Jessie Franklin and Ona Pallie Davis Melton, wife of almost 55 years Gertie Dale Slay Melton, brothers Elmer Melton and Louie, sister Noreen Melton Ebarb, son Roger Glen Melton, and great-grandson Lawrence Dennis LeDuff IV. He is survived by brother Wayne Melton, daughter Deborah Silmon and Mike Durr, son Steve and wife Laura Turner Melton; grandchildren Tamara Taylor and husband Bruce, Christy LeDuff and husband Chip, Dusty Silmon and wife Angela, and Mandy Adams and husband Shane; great-grandchildren Jarred Taylor, Timothy, Steven, and Turner Adams, Benjamin LeDuff, Maddie Hinson, Aaron Maroney and Tenlee Silmon; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Melton, Bryan Melton, John David Ebarb, Barry Rambin, Brandon Melton, and Russell Melton. Honorary pallbearers will be Robbo Davidson, Charlie Frasier, Judson Rives, Tony Morris, and Pat Cobbs. The family wishes to thank the staff at Mansfield Nursing Center and Yaschica Jones for all of the love, care, compassion, and support shown to Marvin and the entire Melton Family.