Melvin Callaway

Melvin L. Callaway passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Southwest Regional Medical Complex in Lubbock, TX. He was 85 years old.

Melvin L. Callaway was born on July 27, 1923 to proud parents, Eugene and Jewel Callaway. He was born and raised in Fie1d, NM, where he grew up farming and raising cattle as his Dad had done before him. He graduated from Field High School and shortly after was drafted into the military. Melvin was in the army during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines. He was aboard a ship sailing to the Philippines when the war ended with a surrender by Japan. One of his duties while stationed there was to guard the defeated prisoners. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to the Melrose and Field area where he continued farming and raising cattle. He eventually started his own cattle company with Mack Hendershot. Callaway and Hendershot or C and H Cattle Company was in business for several years just north of Melrose. Melvin became active in the community of Melrose by serving in the Lion's Club and eventually serving on the board of directors for Melrose Grain and Elevator. He loved to play the game of forty-two and as a young man taught himself to play the mouth harp. Melvin enjoyed driving back and forth from his home in Field to his business in Melrose. Every day he would get in his old pick-up, and slowly drive down the road. He had no air conditioner so the windows were usually down. In his later years, he enjoyed his daughter Tammie Jean and eventually her sons and his grandsons Joshua and Kaleb. When Melvin moved to Melrose he always looked forward to visits from his grandsons. These visits became especially precious as his health declined and he was limited in his mobility.

He is survived by his daughter Tammie Jacobs and her husband Michael, two grandsons, Joshua and Kaleb Broome; his son Frank Rodich and his son Zane and one sister, Dorthy Woods, all of Melrose. He had one niece, Diane Christesson and one aunt, Lee McDaniel, both of Clovis. There are also many cousins and extended family members.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Jewel Callaway, his younger brother Alvin, his brother-in-law Harvey Woods and his nephew, Richard Dale Woods.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Melrose, NM. Grady Bright and Otho Rogers will officiate. Burial will be at the Melrose Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Larry DeVaney, Barry Allen, Deon Dodd, Clyde Gunnels, Johnny Beevers and Dan Younger. Honorary pallbearers will be Mack Hendershot, Pid Luce, and Butch Smith.

Service

Cemetery