Melvin Clements

Melvin Allen Clements, 96, of Rotan passed away Friday, December 11, 2015. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 14 at 2:00p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Rotan with Reverend Matthew Crewse and Reverend Jack Dominguez officiating. Burial will follow in Belvieu Cemetery under direction of Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan. The family will receive friends from 4:00-5:00p.m. Sunday, December 13, at Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home, 111 N. McKinley in Rotan.
Melvin was born on January 4, 1919 Mary Hester (Barker) and Wyatt "Dick" Allen Clements in Rotan. In 1937, he graduated from Dowell High School. Melvin married Mildred Odessa Vittitow on August 24, 1939.
Melvin was an Army veteran, having served at the invasion of Okinawa as a Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in Okinawa. After returning from service, Melvin made his life as a cotton farmer. Melvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge in almost 75 years, and was most recently a member of the Fisher Lodge #703. As a Master Mason, Melvin served in several offices. Melvin also served on numerous community boards in Fisher County, including Rotan Gin Company, Rotan ISD, and many years at Midwest Electric Cooperative. After retirement, Melvin enjoyed spending time in his woodshop creating homemade furniture and traveling with Odessa with the Fisher County RV Club.
In 2009, Melvin was recognized as the last surviving member of the state's first six-man football team, playing as quarterback. The Dowell Bulldogs team played their first season in 1936, two years prior to six-man football being widely adopted in the state.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Odessa of almost 75 years, parents, in-laws Era and Lonnie Vittitow, sisters and brothers-in-law Nina Jo and Earl Rogers and Helen and Lloyd Brower, and granddaughter Rachel Luan Garcia.
He is survived by two daughters, Karen Gardner and husband Loren of Anson and Trudy Garcia and husband Frank of Snyder, son Bret Clements and wife Jaye Neice of Rotan, grandchildren Chad Gardner and wife Tamera, Dawn Euwer and husband Richard, Trey Gardner, Clinton Garcia, Bethany Ashlock and husband Justin, numerous great grandchildren, and brother-in-law Charles Vittitow and wife Marlene.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Rotan Methodist Men, First United Methodist Church of Rotan or your favorite charity.

Visitation

Weathersbee Ray Funeral Home
111 N. McKinley
Rotan, TX  79546
Sunday, December 13, 2015
4 to 5 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Rotan United Methodist Church
Rotan, TX  79546

Cemetery

Belvieu Cemetery
2 miles east of Rotan on hwy 92
Rotan, TX  79546