Max Eldon Melendy

Max passed away on May 29, 2025 at the age of 92, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on May 23, 1933 to John Clark and Helen Katherine Krebs-Melendy in Hennessey, Oklahoma. He graduated from Hennessey High School in 1951. In the same year, after graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, proudly service his country and retiring from the Air Force after 23 years of service. During his Air Force military career, he served two tours of duty to Southeast Asia to include Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. While serving in Thailand, Max was awarded the Bronze Star Award for Meritorious Service in recognition of his outstanding leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty. During his Air Force career, he also served at several other bases to include, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Smyrna, Tennessee; Okinawa, Japan; Charleston, South Carolina; and Ramstein, Germany. After retiring from the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, he stayed in San Antonio and continued serving as a civilian working on the Kelley Air Force Base golf course until it closed.

He loved his family and was a dedicated and loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed watching birds and working in his yard planting, growing, and caring for all his trees and flowers.

He met Drusilla Ann Bettes while he was stationed at Ardmore AFB. She became his beloved wife as they were married on June 10, 1954 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Max is survived by two children; his son, Max Raymond Melendy and wife Peggy of McLoud, Oklahoma, and daughter Sharon Maxine Melendy of San Antonio, Texas. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Drew Melendy-Fortney with husband John, Kendall Melendy, and great grandson, Jonas Fortney; all of Hunstville, Alabama. He will also be missed by two brothers, Dale Melendy, and Allen Melendy with wife Maxine, of Hennessey, Oklahoma, his sister, Mary Melendy-Hampton with husband Franke of Versailles, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Melendy; wife, Ann, of nearly 62 years; brothers, Luther Melendy, Loren Melendy and wife, Laverne; two sisters, Betty Melendy-Gritz and husband Lairy, Dorothy Melendy-Hawk, and husband Donovan.

Max has gone to be with the Lord, Jesus and will be greatly missed by all who's lives he touched with his kind and giving heart. His wish was to be cremated and his ashes scattered in Oklahoma.