Melvin E Harris

Melvin Earl Harris, 92, of Dallas, Texas, passed peacefully to be with our Lord and Savior at his home on December 16, 2017. Born on September 26, 1925 to parents, Dewey and Marie Harris in Tyler, Texas,

Melvin was raised during the Great Depression, graduated from Tyler High School, and began working at Cotton Belt Railroad before getting drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in World War II from December 1943 to February 1946, specializing as a field artillery gunner, where he operated the 155 mm howitzer. In the South Pacific theatre of WWII, Cpl, Harris served in the Peleliu and Okinawa, where he was the recipient of several commendations, including: The Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and the Asian-Pacific Ribbon for being wounded in action in Peleliu on October 3, 1944. He also received the Presidential Unit Citation, Victory Medal World War II, and the China Service Medal before being honorably discharged February 2, 1946.

After returning home, Melvin attended Tyler Commercial College, where he earned a degree in business administration on July 21, 1947. On December 31, 1947 he married the love of his life, Mary Louise Luttrell of Dallas, Texas. Melvin continued his service as a Marine Corp Reservist and he was also employed by the Magnolia Petroleum Company in Dallas, Texas. On October 30, 1948, Cpl. Harris was called to action again to serve his beloved country where he was the recipient of another Purple Heart for being wounded in action, and he was honorably discharged for the second time on October 10, 1949. After returning home from his second deployment, Cpl. Harris was called upon by his country one more time on July 1950, to serve in the Korean Conflict. At this time, Melvin was employed by Mobil Oil Company, and had to leave his young wife and daughter. Sgt. Harris was involved in several historic battles while in Korea, including, the assault and seizure of Inchon September 1950, the Liberation of Seoul on October 1950, as well as other engagements in the North Korean peninsula from October to December 1950. In 1951, Sgt. Harris was transported to Osaka, Japan where he was treated for injuries (frozen feet), sustained during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged on July 21, 1952. He received additional commendations from the Korean Conflict such as the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star, and the Korean Service Medal.

Upon his arrival home, Melvin returned back to work at Mobil Oil. He completed night courses at S.M.U. where he majored in accounting, and received his Master’s degree on July 23, 1963. He was a devoted husband and father, as well as a dedicated, determined, and hardworking man. As a strong and competent leader, Melvin became the supervisor of about 131 employees in the E&G accounting department by 1971. He retired from Mobile Oil Company in 1984 as a master C.P.A., after a loyal and meritorious career. A gift to all who knew him, Melvin Harris was a family man with a big heart who loved his country and brought smiles to anyone who came in contact with him. He was generous and caring, and he enjoyed doing volunteer work. He was always worried about other people, more than himself, and let you k now if something wasn’t right. Melvin spent his retirement years as an avid outdoorsman. He loved the natural world and spending time on his cattle ranch in Pecan Cap, Texas where he dished and hunted with his family. In addition to the outdoors, Melvin loved working with his hands and spent time woodworking, painting pictures, repairing and building just about anything. He was a pistol and a go-getter, and his life was a gift to those that knew him.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Mary Louise Luttrell. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann Hopp; grandchildren, Robbbianne and Paul Jackson; great grandchildren, Alek, Tanner, Calah, and Mallory Jackson, and Mark Chris Simms; 8 great great grandchildren; brother, Gene Harris of Tyler, Texas, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held at Grove Hill Funeral Home on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 2:00pm with a visitation beginning at 12:00pm.