Melvin Ray Traylor's Obituary
Mel left this earth to be with his Savior on Thursday, September 1, 2011 surrounded by his adoring and loving family. Mel was born to George Everett and Beatrice Ricketts Traylor in Dallas, Texas, on October, 28, 1927. He attended schools in Dallas and Marshall Texas before graduating from Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Shortly thereafter, Mel joined the Army and served special duty in the 504th Construction Division from 1946 to 1948 in Korea. Upon honorable discharge, Mel attended Southern Methodist University, graduating with honors in 1952 with a degree in Civil Engineering. While attending SMU, Mel met and later married his loving wife, Beverly Harper. Together, they spent fifty-nine years happily raising their four children, and thoroughly enjoying their ten grandchildren. Mel worked for Austin Industries from 1952 to 1990, retiring as Sr. Vice President. In 1982, Mel graduated from Harvard 88th Advanced Management Program. Mel was the consummate construction professional and loved not only the challenge of building very complex projects, but the people he worked with in building them. Mel will be well remembered as an avid outdoorsman, especially hunting and fishing, as well as a fan of the Mustangs, Cowboys and Mavericks. Mel was everything you looked for in a son, brother, husband, father, employee, co-worker, boss, grandfather and friend – loyal, dedicated, determined, creative, generous. In short, Mel was a principled man of strength, character, and integrity. Mel and Beverly have been active members of Highland Oaks Church of Christ since 1998. Mel is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his youngest son, Robert Timothy Traylor. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly, and his beloved children and grandchildren; Victoria Bayless, and her husband Gary, Lynda Lee Buckley, and her husband John Buckley, Melvin Ray Traylor, Jr. and his wife Kathy, and Wendy Hall Traylor. Grandchildren are Brianna and Natalie Wright, Caitlyn Buckley Banowsky, Travis Buckley, Kelsey Buckley, Zachary Traylor, Jacob Traylor, Matthew Traylor, Kevin Traylor and Lisa Traylor. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00PM on Saturday, September 3rd at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, September 4th at Restland Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Highland Oaks Church of Christ Caring and Sharing Fund.
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