Melville C. SmithAge 83, of Winston, Oregon, passed away on June 2, 2006, in Eugene, Oregon. He was born in Helena, Montana

, on October 25, 1922, to Michael and Lydia Smith. He married Queva Farmer on February 7, 1943, in Texas. They were married 48 years until her death in 1991. Together they had three sons. Surviving are sons, Michael Smith and his wife, Donna of San Juan Capistrano, California; Timothy Smith of Medford, Oregon; Randall Smith and his wife, Diane of Roseburg, Oregon; grandchildren, David Smith; Timothy Smith; Donn Smith; Jessica Hearn; Barry Smith; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Ross Smith; Don Smith;

Michael Smith; Dave Smith; sisters, Joyce Peterson; Judy Ashton; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Neva Conrad. Preceding him in death were sister, Sue Doughit; brothers, Arthur Smith; Ralph Smith; Richard Smith; and grandson, Rusty Smith. Mel served twenty years in the U.S. Navy retiring as a Hospitalman Chief in 1960. He was present at the attack on Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal aboard the USS San Francisco. Mel and Queva retired to Encenitas, California, where he began a career at the Encinitas Medical Clinic as the Chief of X-Ray. They moved to Tenmile, Oregon, in 1970 and Winston in 1972. He served as a service station owner in Tenmile and custodian at Fir Grove School, worked as an X-Ray technician at Douglas Community Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Roseburg before he began employment with the Roseburg VA Medical Center retiring as Chief of X-Ray. He obtained his real estate license after retiring from the VA Medical Center and sold real estate with Century 21 where he was honored several times with membership in the Million Dollar Club. After retiring from real estate, you would find Mel at the ranch where his passion was horses and cattle, having family over to help with chores and to share stories of his life growing up. He always looked forward to the next family reunion and catching up on family events. Everyone that had the pleasure to meet him soon realized the compassion he had for others, especially those in need. If you needed something and he had it, it was sealed with a handshake and it was yours as long as you needed it. He expected nothing in return. He loved his family and his country and was very proud to serve. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., at Green Community Missionary Church on Thursday, June 8, 2006. Graveside service with Military Honors immediately following at Roseburg Memorial Gardens. CHAPEL OF THE ROSES is assisting the family.