Memorial services with military honors for Robert E. (Bob) Mellon, 95, Lawrence, will be 3 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.
Mr. Mellon died Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Twin Oaks Health and Rehab, Lansing, KS.
Bob was born January 17, 1922, in Elmira, MO, the son of Eugene John and Nellie Cates Mellon.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was a Combat Engineer in World War II, serving in the Hawaiian Islands, Gilbert Islands, Saipan, New Hebrides and Okinawa. Later he joined the United States Air Force from 1948 until retiring in 1964 and was proud of his service as an airplane mechanic and later a Staff Sergeant on the Missile Maintenance Squadron at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
Bob regaled us with his stories from his time in the service and his time at various jobs throughout the country. He enjoyed fishing trips to Arkansas with his aunt and told of many adventures pulling his travel trailer to various destinations. He never met a stranger, and loved to laugh, tease, tell a tall tale or a silly joke. Several Bob “isms” include “it’s good enough for who it’s for”, “if I can’t fix it with this, I’ll use a bigger hammer” and many more.
Two things that Bob would want us to know — be good to people and they’ll be good to you, and go and do and see it while you can.
Survivors include daughter Kathy Thompson, Chino Valley AZ, son Dave Mellon, 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and a sister Lois O’Dell of Excelsior Springs, MO. He will also be missed by his good friend and care giver Paula Zimmerschied of Leavenworth, KS.
He was preceded in death by son Jim Mellon, daughter Dawn Bezeek, and longtime companion, Jean Brothers.
Paula is very grateful for the kindness and care provided by the staff of Twin Oaks in Lansing KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Pets for Vets, KC Chapter, and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS, 66044.
