Melvin Dennis
May 25, 1931 – Jan. 21, 2024
JENNINGS — Melvin Dennis, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 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, Okla. 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 Melvin 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 Co-op. Melvin played football, basketball and ran track at Jennings High School. He worked summers and school holidays at the Co-op 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 U.S. 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 eight children. After being honorably discharged from the military, Melvin spent 37 years working for Jeff Davis Electric Co-op starting at the ground level and finishing his career as Superintendent. 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 Minnieaswellastwosiblings,OrvilleDennisandLaVaughn 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, Nev., 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, Texas and daughter Shelli Britt (Charles) from Roanoke, stepchildren Kim Meaux, Tyrone Abshire and Doug Abshire, 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, from 3-9 p.m. at Matthews and Son Funeral Home, 511 North Cutting Ave. in Jennings. A church service will be conducted Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, 710 North State St. 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 Dad's stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. We are eternally grateful for loving care shown to Dad in his final years.
To extend online condolences, please visit our website at www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net Arrangements have been entrusted to Matthews and Son Funeral Home.