George Melvin Britton

George "Melvin" Britton, 84, passed away on January 17, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruby and Grady Britton and his brother Jerry Britton. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kyra Gautreaux Britton, his daughter and her husband Jackie and Bill Waldron, son and his wife Terry and Helen Britton, and son and his wife Dean and Jodi Britton. Grandchildren, Craig Waldron, Will, Marie, Kyra, and Casey Britton. Great-grandchildren, Jasmyne and Junior Britton. Also survived by nieces, Teresa, Linda, and Bitsy, their husbands, Buster, Tony, and Scott and their children, Chelsea, T.J., Jeri Ann, Zack, and Kate.

Mel was born in Timpson, Texas on December 15, 1927. He graduated from Lufkin high school in 1945. He joined the Merchant Marines right after high school and was honorably discharged 6 weeks later due to the war ending. He moved to Houston shortly thereafter and was married on July 1, 1950. He worked several years at H. L. & P. before moving on to work for Shell Chemical Company for 8 years as an operator and pipefitter. In the early sixties he started in the gas station business with his brother Jerry, and their father. He was owner of Britton's Texaco until the mid 1970's. He worked at Tod Shipyard as a pipefitter for several years before he began his final job as a maintenance man at Bayshore Hospital, working his way up to Assistant Director of Maintenance.

Mel and Kyra retired in 1985 to live at their lakehouse on Lake Livingston in Onalaska. They spent their time together fishing and entertaining their children and grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.

Services will be held at Forest Park Lawndale funeral home. Visitation is on Sunday, January 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be on Monday, January 23, at 2 p.m. Pallbearers are Don Giffin, Buster Grubbs, Scott Davis, Craig Waldron, Casey Britton, and Will Britton.