Melvin Lee McClure

Nov. 6, 1938 ~ Feb. 25, 2023

Melvin Lee McClure, 84, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on February 25, 2023 with his family by his side. Melvin was born November 6, 1938, in Olton, Texas, to Howard and Dellie McClure.

Wake with refreshments will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023 at Lighthouse Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the City of Earth, Texas, Cemetery.

Mel grew up in Springlake, Texas, where his mother passed away when he was six years old. He graduated from Springlake Earth High School where he excelled in football, baseball and English composition. He earned money in school by writing term papers for other students, even seniors, from the 8th grade until he graduated. He was so good at English Composition, Texas Tech heard about his "business" and they offered him an English scholarship to the University.

He was drafted into the Army after High School and developed a very strong work ethic. He saved a general's wife because he had 0 negative blood. After he left the Army he was a lineman for Southwestern Public Service. He worked there until his retirement in 1992. He then created and operated Mel's Used Cars and Mel's Radiators from 1992 to 2003.

Mel loved music and dancing. He personally knew Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly. He also loved to play cards and won several Texas Holdem tournaments around Amarillo. Shhhh, Don't tell anybody! He also loved food, so he hosted a Thursday night poker game with a huge buffet for over 40 years. His favorite vegetable was the jalapeno, and he could easily eat over 100 a week. He loved using them as scoops with ultra hot habanero or ghost pepper salsa. He was known for eating the hottest salsa around Amarillo and many restaurants would charge him up to $7 for the extra hot salsa.

He was very competitive and if you were to describe Melvin McClure with one word it would be "Ornery." Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dellie McClure; stepmom, Joyce McClure; brother, Lonnie Green; and the love of his life, Francis McClure.

Those left to cherish his memory are three sons, Scott McClure of Lancaster, TX, Jack McClure and wife, Stephanie, of Nashville, TN, and Justin McClure of Canyon, TX; adopted daughter, Marcela Suarez and husband, Jaime, of Amarillo, TX; 10 grandkid, Rashea Leeper, Briana Leeper, PJ Dovalina, Ashton Read, Nichole Fortney and husband, Brian, Bailey McClure, Jacqueline McClure, Aaliyah Suarez, Andres Suarez, and Jaicella Suarez; his two sisters, Tresa Benton of Brush, CO, and Vicky McClure of Maude, TX; many cousins, and a multitude of friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Service of Amarillo, TX.