Melvin Ray Allen

Melvin Ray Allen, Jr., a loyal Anadarkoan, died on December 1, 2019. He was 78.He loved cars, old movies, orchestral music, and musicals. In his final years, he found he could have them all on YouTube. Smoking and joking with friends and his sons were his joy. His wry wit, sly turn of phrase, and generosity will be missed.Born in Okmulgee on June 16, 1941, his family moved to Anadarko in 1955. He graduated from Anadarko High School in 1959 where he played tuba for the school band. Except for a couple of years in Lindsay and his last four years in Chickasha, Anadarko was the only place he lived or wanted to live.As a youth, he worked for Clayton West and learned automotive upholstering and developed his love of automobiles. This interest led to his young adult career working as parts manager for Roy Hall Chevrolet in Anadarko and later Paul Cameron Buick-Pontiac in Lindsay.He became disabled but was always alert for a cure, and over the years, participated in procedures that contributed to medical knowledge. In the late 1980s, the community rallied and helped raise much appreciated support for one of these.Melvin was always interested in his community and willing to lend his voice to represent others. He served on the board of directors of the Thunderbird community for the several years he lived there. Likewise, in his final years he was elected president of the residents at Chickasha Nursing Center.He was once appalled when he learned that Anadarko residents with kidney disease had to drive to Lawton three times a week to receive dialysis treatments. A thoughtful letter to the editor encouraged community leaders to pick up the cause, and today Anadarko has its own dialysis center.Along the way, Melvin also earned a certificate in childrenâ€™s literature, committing to paper stories and gags heâ€™d heard as a child. Have you ever heard of a â€œsnipe huntâ€ ?Some may also remember him as the proprietor of Allenâ€™s Upholstering near the Miller theater.He is survived by his sons, Wayne of Bethany and Brian of Farmers Branch, TX; his four sisters Onita Cyrus of Cement, Carol Smith and husband, Merle, of Noble, Vicki Eaton of Oklahoma City, and Ladonna Brown of Duncan; numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded by his parents, Melvin Ray â€œSkeetâ€ Allen, Sr. and Thelma Onita Allen (nee Mitchell).Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the Bethel Baptist Church in Anadarko. Officiating will be Harold B. Shiflett. Burial will follow in the Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko.Viewing will be Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Thursday, 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com

Melvin Ray Allen

June 16, 1941 - December 1, 2019

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