Melvin Lee Lawrence, 94, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, June 4, 2026, with family by his side and with caring hearts and hands of the staff of the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. Melvin made so many dear friends among the staff at the Kansas Veterans Home. He kept them entertained with his quick wit and twinkling eyes.

Melvin was born on a farm northeast of Udall, Kansas, on August 2, 1931, the son of Bill and Norma (Sheeks) Lawrence. He attended Star Valley Grade School and graduated from Winfield High School in 1949.

Melvin married Charlotte Anderson on March 2, 1952, at the First Christian Church in Winfield. They celebrated 71 years of marriage. After completing high school, he worked briefly for Coca Cola Bottling, while waiting to enlist in the Army. He proudly served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 in Worms, Germany as a member of the Sixth Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Upon his return from the military, he established his family in New Salem, working over 12 years at the Hahn Grain Company, Cessna Aircraft, and 38 years for Wilson Oil Company, retiring in 2006 at the age of 75. There are few roads in Cowley County that he did not travel, delivering fuel and oil products to local businesses and farms. He enjoyed being involved in farming all of his life.

He had a friendly personality and smile. He never met a stranger and in high school, was known as “Easy” to compliment his personality and quick wit. He quite often gave friends and family nicknames such as: Gunter, Sargie, Faux, Bugsy, Big Child, Little Child, Char Baby, etc. He enjoyed farming, gardening, reading, military TV programs, “tinkering”, auctions, and family.

Melvin was a hunting and wildlife enthusiast. He loved the outdoors, quail and pheasant hunting alongside his Brittany dogs. He was proud of having hunted pheasant at the same place in western Kansas for 65 consecutive years. He was a member of the National Rifle Association for over 50 years.

He served on the New Salem school board at the time of the school district unification in the 1960’s. He has been a member of the American Legion Post #10 since 1954 and a lifetime member of the local VFW. He is a member of the First Christian Church in Winfield.

Survivors include daughters, Carol Torrence (Chuck) of Topeka; Diana Kelly of Geuda Springs; grandsons, Logan Kelly (Shelbie) of Geuda Springs; and Cody Kelly of Maui, HI; great grandson Kegan Kelly of Geuda Springs; and three nieces, two nephews, and their families.

In addition to his parents and wife, Melvin was preceded in death by a nephew Mark Parrott and his son-in-law Dave Kelly.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Miles Funeral Service. Interment and Military Committal Honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home Monday from 4 to 8 PM. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Melvin’s name for the VFW Post #3544 and the USD 465 Foundation - FFA. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.