"WOW! What A Ride!"

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" Melvin Trotter 1924-2006.

Melvin's full obituary, as published in the Springfield News-Leader 07/17/2006:

Melvin Lewis Trotter, age 82, passed away Friday evening, July 14, 2006. He loved his wife Violet who survives of the home and to whom he was married for 48 years. He was a member of the Northside Christian Church. He loved his God and his family and was blessed with an abundance of cherished friends. Melvin was born on July 5, 1924, the son of Frank and Eva Trotter and enjoyed the love and affection of his six brothers and three sisters. He is survived by two brothers, Gary Trotter of Grove, Okla., George Trotter of Owasso, Okla., and one sister, Alice Hensly of Eugene, Ore. his loving children:Jill Trotter of Cincinnati, Ohio William Trotter of Sarasota, Fla., and his wife, Kathy and Brenda Trotter of Rochester Hills, Mich., all from his first marriage to Joan Leeder who he married in 1943 and preceded him in death. He is also survived by his stepchildren who loved him dearly and were equally loved by him. They are: Paul Hagood, Jr., who preceded him in death and his wife, Shirley, of Boulder, Colo. Connie Lehan and her husband, Joe, of Minden, Iowa William Hagood and his wife, Carole, of Jefferson City, Mo., and Russell Shelton, Springfield. Melvin was the very proud grandfather to 17 grandchildren and greatgrandfather to 10 great-grandchildren. Melvin was a proud veteran of World War II serving his country in Normandy, the Rhineland Ardennes, France and Central Europe in a tank reconnaissance squadron attached to Patton's army. He received several citations and awards for his military service including the Jubilee of Liberty Medal, World War II Victory Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge and a Silver Star. Melvin graduated from Coffeyville Junior College in Coffeyville, Kan., where he also worked for the city water company. In 1965 he became the Director of the water treatment plants for the cities of Eureka Springs and Jefferson City in Missouri and retired in 1990 as the Director of the Water Pollution Treatment Plant in Springfield, Mo. Among his many accomplishments, Melvin received awards for his work in the water pollution treatment field and can claim that under his professional guidance the capital city of Monrovia, Liberia, in West Africa received its first state-of-the-art Water Pollution Treatment system. While in Liberia, Melvin and Violet were honored to attend a ball given by the President of Liberia for President Nixon and his wife during a visit to the country in 1973. Mel and Violet were able to enjoy their passion for travel by touring most of the United States and Europe before retiring to their beloved Ozarks. Melvin's other life passion included his church in which he was a Deacon and taught Bible classes, and in helping to raise his grand and greatgrandchildren. His easy smile and quick wit were testimony to his enjoyment of life. Melvin's quiet demeanor in his later years belied his true approach to life and of the philosophy by which he live: "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" We, who by the grace of God, were able to love and be loved by him are eternally grateful for the guidance, love and support he freely gave throughout his life. He will be severely missed by all who knew him and we take solace in knowing that we will see him again in heaven. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N. National Ave. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2006, with Pastor Ed Holt officiating. Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn North Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, July 17, 2006.

Read more here.