Melvin Darrell Thompson, 84, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017, at the Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater, KS. Born April 12, 1932, in Protection, KS, he was the son of Edson Aubrey and Leta Hazel (Cline) Thompson.
Melvin was a longtime resident of Coldwater, KS, previously living in Plains, KS, Mullinville, KS, and Protection, KS. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-1954. He enjoyed camping, horses, rodeos, and riding lawnmowers. He worked for many years as a mechanic for Northern Natural Gas Company.
On August 30, 1955, he married Mary Jean Williams in Clayton, NM. She preceded him in death on September 20, 2015.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Elmer Thompson and Alfred Thompson; three sisters: Marguerite Hughes, Alma Favreau, and Geneva Smith; one grandson: Jeremey Caldwell; one granddaughter: Mandy Rush; and one great-grandson: Aiden Thompson.

He is survived by six children: Floydene "Sister" Little (Ray) of Tucson, AZ, Melvina Caldwell (Dave) of Seattle, WA, Jody Thompson (Anita) of Liberal, KS, Mitch Thompson (Maggie) of Liberal, KS, Eldon "Duke" Thompson (Ken) of Wichita, KS, and David Thompson of Coldwater, KS; three sisters: Wanda Waller of Hollister, CA, Janice Trebino of Hollister, CA, and Joyce Vann of Garden Plains, KS; twelve grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and Murphy the cat.

Calling times are from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2017, (FAMILY WILL GREET FRIENDS FROM 5-7) at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

Funeral service is at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2017, at the First Christian Church in Coldwater, KS, with Andrew Evans presiding.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Crown Hill Cemetery in Coldwater, KS, with full military honors.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Prairie in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.