Melvin E. Pulliam

Melvin E. Pulliam, lifelong Creek County resident, passed from this life on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in Mannford at the age of ninety-five. Melvin was born in Depew, Oklahoma on May 21, 1918 the son of Lem and Edna (Root) Pulliam. His mother Edna, was tragically killed in a wagon river crossing incident when Melvin was around three years of age. He then resided with his father for a while in the Bristow area before moving to Mannford in the late 1920ís. Melvin served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 through 1946. Melvin began working at an early age and was a longtime member of the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union No. 205 in Tulsa. He operated his own welding shop in the Mannford area and often worked both independently as a welder and through the Local Union as needed for many years. He later became involved in the oilfields of northeastern Oklahoma as an independent oil producer. Melvin was married to Phyllis Spess on June 6, 1965 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. The couple made their home in Mannford until the untimely death of Phyllis from injuries received in an automobile accident on May 20, 1991. Melvin continued to reside in his home until health reasons he relocated to the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in December of 2011. Melvin loved his dogs, Hoot and Piddle and could most always be found with them by his side. He was an avid Mannford Pirate softball and basketball supporter. Additionally, he enjoyed attending the Mannford Country Music Show on Saturday nights. Melvin is survived by his two sons, Jimmy Pulliam and Dennis Pulliam, both of Mannford; four grandchildren, LeeAnn Holloway, Danina Mullin, Deanna DaSilva and Donya Payne; eleven greatgrandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; a sister, Fay McGee; and a special friend, Zola Harvison. In addition to his mother, Edna and his wife, Phyllis, Melvin was preceded in death by his father, Lem Pulliam; a son, Johnny Lee Pulliam; a brother, Erza Pulliam; and two sisters, Maxine and Loeta. Graveside Services will be held 10:00 AM Monday, September 9, 2013 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mannford with Chaplain Terry Snelling officiating. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com. Interment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.