Melvin J. Robison

Posted

(Apr. 2, 2001)

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Powell for Melvin J. Robison, 80, who died Monday, April 2 at the Powell Nursing Home from cancer.

Mr. Robison was the former district manager for Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. in Powell.

He was born Dec. 6, 1920, in Byron to Joseph Ray and Lucy (Johnson) Robison. He grew up in Byron and attended school there, graduating from Byron High School in 1940.

He married Marguerite Cox on May 24, 1941, in Billings, Mont. To this union were born two children, Melvin Jay Robison and Mitchel Ray Robison. They lived in Byron for 31 years before moving to Powell in 1972 when he assumed the position of district manager for MDU. A welder by trade, he retired in 1985 after 36 years with MDU, the last 13 years as district manager.

Mr. Robison worked in the Byron Mercantile from 1939 to 1942. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and flew as a B-24 Liberator tail turret gunner with the 8th Air Force, 466th Bombardment Group in Europe in World War II. On Dec. 25, 1944, during his 15th air mission, Staff Sgt. Robison was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed camping and spent his winter months in Lake Havasu, Ariz., for the last 15 years.

He enjoyed camping with his son, Jay, and wife Sheri for the last 40 years straight at Crazy Creek Campground in the Beartooths.

He also enjoyed traveling to Alaska to fish with his son, Mitch, and wife Pat where he caught a 76-pound king salmon.

At the age of 62, Mr. Robison qualified for his private pilot's license.

Prior to his retirement, he was involved in the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Eastern Star, Powell Rotary, and was a member of the Powell Airport Board, Powell Planning and Zoning Commission, Byron School Board and the LDS Church.

Survivors include his wife Marge of Powell; son Jay and his wife Sheri of Billings, Mont., and son Mitch and his wife Pat of Anchorage, Alas.; two brothers, Solon Robison and wife Marjorie of Lovell and Joe Robison of Milton Freewater, Ore.; two sisters, Stella May of Lovell and Mamie Martin of Deaver; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by half-brothers Charles Robison and wife Linda, Dale Robison and wife Nancy and half-sister Mary Harmon and husband Jerry, all of Lovell; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation and viewing will be held one hour prior to the services Friday in the Relief Society Room. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery, with the Powell Veterans Honor Guard providing military honors.

For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Valley Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435, in care of Douglas Sunderland, MSW.

Comments