Melvyn Earl Post

Melvyn Earl “Mel” Post passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Waco, Texas. The family will have a private graveside service.

Mel was born on October 24, 1930, in Topeka, Kansas to the late Dorothy Ruth Johnson and Clarence Alvin Post. During his youth, he worked various jobs and was active in Sea Scouts.  He graduated from Topeka High School in 1948.  It was in high school that he met Marilyn Ann Davis, who was the gal who was to be his life-long companion.

He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka in May 1952, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He worked several jobs while attending college. Mel and Marilyn were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka in the fall of 1951 over Thanksgiving Weekend.

After graduation Mel joined the U.S. Navy and he and Marilyn moved to several locations including Bayonne, New Jersey and Ogden, Utah while he served on active duty.  When he completed his commitment to the Navy, they returned to Topeka, where he began a career with General Dynamics.  While he was with GD, they moved 6 times in 5 years including homes in New Mexico, California, and Ft. Worth.  They ultimately settled in Waco, Texas in 1967.  At that point Marilyn declared, “No more moves!”  After Mel left GD, he served as Director of Administrative Services at McLennan Community College, and later became co-owner and General Manager of Davis Metalworks. In his last career move, he worked for Brazos Electric Power Cooperative in Waco. He retired from Brazos in January 1996.

During his working years, he also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and went on active duty for two weeks every year.  He ultimately achieved the rank of Commander before his retirement from the service.

Mel and Marilyn enjoyed an active social life.  They were members of ballroom dance clubs and enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, and visiting casinos in Bossier City, Louisiana.  Mel was an avid poker player.  Other hobbies included flying – he had his private pilot’s license, fishing, boating – both motorboating and sailing, and doing a daily crossword puzzle.

He was a Master Mason and was a 71-year member of Topeka Lodge No. 17 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, in Topeka, Kansas.  In Waco in 1969 he became a member of the Karem Ancient and Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine.  As a Shriner he was in the Ranger unit as well as the Hillbilly Clan where he was part of the Royal Order of Jesters. Mel was also a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Waco, Orient of Texas.

In 1984, Mel and Marilyn moved one more time – to a home that they built on their property outside of Lorena, Texas, fittingly called Post Place.  There Mel and Marilyn raised cattle, enjoyed the companionship of several dogs, including Gretchen, Misty, Barney and Clyde, and Lucy, and watched the abundant birds, including hummingbirds, and wildlife that made their homes on Post Place.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Duane, and his wife Marilyn.  Mel is survived by his daughter Susan Post Etheredge, his daughter Lori Ann Kleine and her spouse Jerry Kleine, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Arbor House and to the staff and volunteers of Interim Hospice for the love and care they provided Mel during his stay at Arbor House.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, c/o Karem Shrine Temple, 400 Karem Circle, Waco, TX 76712, or through their website Donate to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Legacy Giving (lovetotherescue.org) ; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or through their website www.Stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html?sc_icid=wtg-lz-memorials.