Melvin D. Dennis

Melvin Dennis 92 passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 21, 2024 at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home from complications of pneumonia and Congestive Heart Failure.
Melvin Delaine "Potter" Dennis was born to James Wesley Dennis and Minnie Shaw Dennis in Paul's Valley Oklahoma on May 25, 1931. Melvin grew up running the creeks, woods and draws near the family farm with an older gentleman neighbor by the last name Potter. Together, they trapped, hunted and fished at every opportunity they could find. Locals and family started to refer to him as Potter's boy and as time went on he was given the nickname "Potter"! He continued to carry that moniker proudly the remainder of his adult life. When dad was a sophomore in high school, the family left Oklahoma and moved to Jennings where his father landed a job as Chief Engineer at the newly created REA Electric Coop. Melvin played football, basketball and ran track at Jennings High School. Dad worked summers and school holidays at the Coop helping his father survey in new power line right of ways and substations to finally bring electricity to rural Southwest Louisiana. He graduated in 1949 and enlisted in the military.
Melvin served his country honorably during the Korean conflict with the US Air Force and was stationed in various places domestically and internationally. He had a Military Occupational Specialty in Communications and a High Security clearance as the work he was doing was Classified. On leave from the military, he married his High School Sweetheart Anna Rie Blanchard in 1951 and together they raised 8 Children. After being honorably discharged from the military, Melvin spent 37 years working for Jeff Davis Electric Coop starting at the ground level and finishing his career as Superintendant. Melvin later married Mona Istre Abshire. He and Mona spent their time traveling, fishing, camping and gardening after his retirement.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents Wes and Minnie as well as 2 siblings, Orville Dennis and LaVaughn Greer and daughter-in-law Johnnie Raye Dennis.
He is survived by his Wife Mona, Sister Peggy LeDoux, Daughter Judy Goodreau from Lake Charles, Son Marty Dennis (Debbie) from Reno NV, Son Thomas "Buck" Dennis from Jennings, Son Frank Dennis (Winifred) from Hathaway, Son John Dennis from Jennings, Son Charlie Dennis (Jill) from Lake Charles, Son Joe Dennis Dawson (Eddie) from Austin TX and Daughter Shelli Britt (Charles) from Roanoke LA, Step Children Kim Meaux, Tyrone Abshire and Doug Abshire, 19 Grandchildren and 29 Great Grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 3:00pm until 9:00pm at Mathews and Sons Funeral Home, 511 North Cutting Avenue in Jennings. A church service will be conducted Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:00am at the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, 710 North State Street in Jennings followed by a Military Service at Greenwood Cemetery.
The family wishes to Thank the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home and all of the wonderful staff who helped make dads stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. We are eternally grateful for loving care shown to dad in his final years.