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1936
2018
Melvin (Mel) R. Lawrence passed away on June 9, 2018 at Mount Carmel Hospital with his daughter Kris at his side after a long battle with Parkinsons and Dementia. Melvin was a lifetime resident of the Kettle Falls/Colville area although he did have many adventures around the world.
Melvin was born at Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville in 1936 to Alfred and Lelia (Lakin) Lawrence. He grew up in Kettle Falls along with his older brother Gene. Mel went to school until the tenth grade at Kettle Falls, at this point he decided driving cars on the Northport dirt track, working, and living life at full speed was a better adventure. At the ripe old age of 19 he moved to California where he became an insurance agent, opened a hot water tank/appliance repair shop, and finally became a card shark for a casino.
He married his wife Joyce shortly after moving to California. They eventually opened a fleet of food trucks while growing their family by three. In 1965 Melvin moved his family to Kettle Falls and began his career in construction and manufacturing. He enjoyed creating new businesses and selling them once they became successful, once again moving on to a new business to do the same thing all over again. Mel enjoyed designing and coming up with new innovations to make homes and buildings safer and less costly. He built several homes in Kettle Falls and pole buildings in several counties. A couple of his business he spoke about the most were Lawrence Bros shakes ran with his brother Gen and Lawrence Quality Construction ran with his daughter Kris.
In 1972 Melvin began his travels all over the United States. Mel was a man known for being ahead of the times. He decided to settle down in 2004 on his daughter Kris and husband Don's property in Colville. He wanted to be closer to his four grandchildren and later great-grandchildren. He enjoyed gambling with cars (yes he cheated), camping, fishing (especially with a boat full of noisy kids), being with his family, especially the grandkids and great-grandkids. Mel was a history buff that lived through eras of changes that he loved to reminisce about. He was an excellent storyteller. Melvin was an avid gardener, bird enthusiast, and tool builder. Our beloved Dad/Papa will be dearly missed, but in our memories he shall forever remain.
Melvin was proceeded in death by his father, Alfred; mother, Lelia; Gene; son, Karl; grandson, John Karl, and beloved and faithful dog Max.
Melvin is survived by his daughter Linda Lawrence of Chewelah; daughter Kris and husband Don Palm of Colville; grandson Chris and wife Rheanna Mira of Marysville; two great-granddaughters Suzara and Satya; granddaughter Brandi and husband Adam Lopata of Colville; great-granddaughter Dustie and two great-grandsons Michael and Bryant, granddaughter KaLelia and husband Ryan Johnson of Colville; two great-grand dogs Jakebrake and Bones.
The family will be having a celebration party of Melvin's life on September 15 at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kettle Falls (just past Sandy's Drive-In). Please feel free to join. There will be a potluck meal. We would love to hear your stories of Mel and share ours with you.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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