Melvin Ernest Poad

1936 - 2025

Melvin Ernest Poad

April 1, 1936 - July 27, 2025

Melvin Ernest "Mel" Poad, born in Butte, Mont., and a longtime resident of Spokane, passed away July 27th. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Pearl Poad; Lori, his daughter; and Madison Hilts, his granddaughter. Mel is survived by Frances "Fran," his wife of 63 years; son, Mark (wife Patty); daughters, Kim Connors (husband Bill), Melissa Hilts (husband Mike), Jennifer Holm (husband Sean); granddaughters, Alisha Connors, Haley Connors, Mackenzie Hilts Moxness (husband Michael), Emily Hilts, Amelia Poad, Ainsley Holm and Sophie Holm; grandsons, Liam Connors, Connor Hilts, and Cameron Poad. He is also survived by his sister, Luana Mickelson (husband Lenny), with whom he remained close throughout his life.

Mel graduated from Butte High School in 1954 and then spent two years in the Navy. After the Navy, he attended Montana Tech, where he graduated with a BS in Geological Engineering. He married Fran (Sullivan) in 1962, and they spent a few years in Hardin, Helena, and Drummond, Mont., before taking a job in Spokane with the Bureau of Mines. Mel spent his career at the Bureau working to increase the safety of underground mining.

Mel grew up playing hockey and later developed a passion for working out. He spent a couple of decades as a member of the Spokane Club. When the kids were young, he started snow skiing as an activity with the family and continued to ski into his 70s. He loved the water and enjoyed being at the lake with his family, especially at Priest Lake, Idaho, with his children, their spouses, and all ten grandkids.

Mel was an easy going and quiet man that valued his family. Mel will be greatly missed and will forever be in our hearts and memories.

You may share thoughts and memories of Mel at https://www.holycrossofspokane.org.