Melvin Burdick

Melvin Lee Burdick, 87, died in Amarillo, TX on November 14, 2021. Melvin was born on May 19, 1934, to Levi and Fern Burdick in Oklahoma City, OK.  Services will be on Tuesday, November 23 at 10:00 AM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa.  Officiated by Paula Brooks and David Chisham of First Christian Church of Midland, where Melvin was a member before moving to Amarillo.

On August 22, 1953, Melvin married his wife, Geneva Jane Whisenhunt. Melvin and Geneva were happily married for almost 38 years and had two children. Melvin enjoyed sharing his career history beginning with his work when first married as a baker.  He moved across Utah and Colorado when he was working in the mines.  He then was trained in blasting with dynamite and worked in New Mexico on road construction moving with his family to many locations.  As the children reached school age, he found an opportunity in Kermit to be near family, and he joined Western Company where he moved up the ranks for over 35 years and retired in 1997. In his free time, he enjoyed camping and fishing across the Western states. Melvin was a survivor in every sense of the word, surviving colon cancer and three different types of lung cancer, and becoming totally blind, but still living independently for approximately 17 years. His blindness didn’t stop him from one of his favorite activities, country-western dancing to live music.  He was a member of several dance clubs across Midland and Odessa including Permian Basin Dance, Ballroom Dance, West Texas Club as well as dances held at the VFW and American Legion.  Some loyal friends provided transportation on a regular basis for all activities that was key to his independence. He followed his favorite sports teams on satellite radio and listened to over 4,000 books provided by the Talking Book Program.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Geneva in 1991, his son, Randy in 2009, his daughter, Cindy in 2016, his sister, Nila, and his brothers, Woody, and Kenny.

Melvin is survived by his sister, Marie, daughter-in-law, Margie, his grandchildren, Tiffany, Levi, Kevin, and Dana, and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to the Texas State Library (write on the memo line of the check that the donation is for the Talking Book Program) Mail to: Talking Book Program, P.O. Box 12516, Austin, TX  78711-2516.