Darrel G. Melvin

Capt. Darrel G. Melvin 67, former resident of Carlsbad, NM passed away Friday, January 2, 2015 at his residence in Lubbock, TX after a courageous 16 year battle with Parkinson's disease. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 8, 2015 at First Baptist Church with Pastor Randy C. Land officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Born September 19, 1947 in Herrin, IL to Roscoe and Ramona Melvin, Darrel moved to Carlsbad in 1955 where he graduated High School as a Caveman and met and married the love of his life, Doris (Croley) Melvin. Darrel attended Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and New Mexico State -Carlsbad. Darrel and his family left Carlsbad for Green River, Wyoming in 1981 following his career in Mine Safety as a Mine Safety Professional. An officer in the Wyoming National Guard, Darrel retired with 22 years of service as the Commander of B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 49th Field Artillery. Darrel completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1970 while serving in Air Defense for the New Mexico National Guard. Darrel was fond of the outdoors and loved to camp, hunt. He served as a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 1 in Green River, WY as well as being a founding member of Boy Scout Troop 312 in Green River, WY. His love of music brought him into the service of Monroe Ave. Baptist Church as the Music Director where he also served as a Deacon. Darrel loved speed and horsepower and raced dirt track stock cars in Carlsbad and Wyoming. He was well known as being a top engine builder in Southwest Wyoming amongst the racing community. Darrel also served as the volunteer Fire Chief in Otis, NM reinforcing his desire to protect and value life. Darrel is survived by his wife of 47 years; daughter, Michelle Melvin of Lubbock, TX; son, Kelly Melvin and wife, Cheryl of Green River, WY; grandsons: Andrew Melvin of Lubbock, TX, Chase Baumfalk of Rock Springs, WY, Hunter Casper of Green River, WY, Garrett Melvin of Green River, WY; granddaughters: Kyla Magrath of Rock Springs, WY, Taylor Christensen of Salt Lake City, UT, Sadie Casper of Green River, WY and one great-grandson, Peyton Melvin of Lubbock, TX. Darrel is also survived by his mother, Ramona Melvin of Carlsbad, NM; siblings: Mark and Sharon Melvin of Antinto, CO, Beckie Melvin of Carlsbad, NM and Teresa Nance of Carlsbad, NM. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.