Melvin E Zachary

Melvin Edward Zachary, affectionately known as "Zach," was born on March 15, 1943, in King City, California. He was the youngest of four children born to Willie Chester "W.C." Zachary and Thelma (Whitmire) Zachary. Melvin graduated from Princeton High School in 1962 and married his beloved wife, Neoma Laverne Murphree, on June 20, 1964, in Collin County, Texas.

Melvin served his country with honor as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force from January 20, 1963, to January 20, 1967, stationed in El Paso, Texas. He later pursued higher education and graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 1972, earning a degree in psychology. Melvin dedicated much of his professional life to the United States Postal Service, where he worked from 1974 until his retirement in 1993.

He and Laverne raised two children, Kreg Edward Zachary and Keri Shannon (Zachary) Greer, in Duncanville, Texas. In 1993, the family moved to Canton, Texas, where Melvin took on a new role as a school bus driver, serving the community for approximately ten years.

Melvin cherished country living and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits alongside Laverne. He took immense pleasure in tending to their land, caring for numerous pets throughout the years, and fishing at their pond. A skilled craftsman, he spent hours in his workshop creating knives, which he either sold at Canton Trade Days or gifted to family and friends. Melvin was known for his warm personality, humor, and storytelling ability, engaging with everyone he met. He was immensely proud of his Cherokee Indian heritage and was an active member of the Baptist Church, contributing to his community for many years.

Above all, Melvin and Laverne deeply valued time spent with their family, particularly their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, fondly referred to as "grandma and grandpa farm."

Melvin is preceded in death by his beloved wife Laverne, son Kreg Edward Zachary, brother Leroy Zachary, sister Virginia Striplin, and his parents. He is survived by his sister Joy Lafon; daughter Keri Shannon Greer and son-in-law Richard Greer; granddaughters Jordyn Pitts (married to Joey Pitts, with great-grandchild Myles Pitts) and Lindsey Green (married to Corbin Green); and grandsons Garran Greer, Presley Greer, and Haley Price (married to Dylan Price, with great-grandchildren Emory Greer and Asher Price).

Melvin Edward Zachary will be remembered for his dedication to family, service to his country, and his passion for life. His legacy will continue to live on through the lives he touched. No public services will be held.