Melvin J. Crain Sr.

Retired Major General and Retired Commander of the 50th Armored Divison died Sat. May 4 2002 at Rancocas Hospital. Age 77. Born in Medford NJ.
Entered Active service July 1943. Served Army Air Force until 1946. Joined Air Force Reserve 1950. Called into active duty 1951-1953. Received commission as second lieutenant Infantry in the 216th Armored Infantry Battalion in 1953.
Became an Infantry Unit Commander in 1956. Promoted to captain in 1958 and to major in 1962 promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1971 when he became Battalion Commander of the 114th Mechanized Infantry.
In 1975 he was promoted to colonel and in 1977 to brigadier general. He was appointed Commanding General of the 50th Armored Division on Stepember 1 1981 and promoted to major general on Aug. 5 1982. He retired in 1986. He has received numerous awards and decorations.
He is survived by his wife Pearl; a son Melvin John Crain Jr. & his wife Carrol of Marietta GA; a granddaughter Melissa. He is also survived by a step-son Andrew S. Russell & his wife Barbara & their children Lauren & Kaitlyn all of Beverly NJ. He was the grandfather of the late Brian.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at the Main Post Chapel Fort Dix. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery Medford.
Friends may call on Thursday evening from 7-9 PM at the PERINCHIEF CHAPELS 438 High St Mt. Holly or on Friday from 10-11 at the Main Post Chapel Ft. Dix.
Those attending the Funeral Service are reminded to bring a photo ID to get through post security.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Beverly-Edgewater Park Emergency Squad.