Garner, Melvin

Melvin Garner, 70, of Roswell, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell.

He was born Nov. 13, 1935, in Causey to Amon D. “Bud” and Ella Gumm Garner. He graduated from Causey High School in 1953 and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. He served his country in the Army Reserve from 1958-1964. He married Betty Davis Garner on June 6, 1959, in Portales. He had been a Roswell resident for 14 years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed adult Sunday school class and their retreats to Angel Fire, family members said. He had been a commercial plumber until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife; son, Jay Dean Garner (and his wife, Doris) of Amarillo; daughter, Tamara Richardson (Ken) of Roswell; brother, Roger Wayne Garner of Missouri; sister, Marcel Merrick of Causey; and four grandchildren, Jared and Kayla Richardson and Troy and Rylee Garner.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Ministries in Roswell or the American Diabetes Association, 2625 Pennsylvania NE, No. 225, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.