Melvin Lee McClure, 84, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on February 25, 2023, with his family by his side.  Melvin was born November 6, 1938, in Olton, Texas, to Howard and Dellie McClure.

Wake with refreshments will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, March 3, 2023, at Lighthouse Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Lighthouse Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the city of Earth, Texas Cemetery.

Mel grew up in Springlake, Texas where his mother passed away when he was 6 years old.  He graduated from Springlake Earth High School where he excelled in football, baseball and English composition. He earned money in school by writing term papers for other students, even seniors, from the 8th grade until he graduated. He was so good at English Composition that when Texas Tech heard about his “business,” they offered him an English scholarship to the University.

He was drafted into the Army after High School and developed a very strong work ethic. He saved a general’s wife because he had 0-negative type blood. After he left the Army, he was a lineman for Southwestern Public Service. He worked there until his retirement in 1992. He then created and operated Mel’s Used Cars and Mels Radiators from 1992 – 2003.

Mel loved music and dancing. He personally knew Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly. He also loved to play cards and won several Texas Holdem tournaments around Amarillo. Shhhh, don’t tell anybody! He also loved food, so he hosted a Thursday night poker game with a huge buffet for over 40 years. His favorite vegetable was the jalapeno, and he could easily eat over 100 a week. He loved using them as scoops with ultra hot habanero or ghost pepper salsa. He was known for eating the hottest salsa around Amarillo and many restaurants would charge him up to $7 for the extra hot salsa.

He was very competitive and if you were to describe Melvin McClure with one word it would be “Ornery.”

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dellie McClure; stepmom Joyce McClure; brother Lonnie Green, and the love of his life Frances McClure.

Those left to cherish his memory are three sons, Scott McClure of Lancaster, Texas, Jack McClure and wife Stephanie of Nashville, Tennessee, Justin McClure of Canyon, Texas; adopted daughter Marcela Suarez and husband Jaime of Amarillo, Texas; ten grandkids, Rashea Leeper, Briana Leeper, PJ Dovalina, Ashton Read, Nicole Fortney and husband Brian, Bailey McClure, Jacqueline McClure, Aaliyah Suarez, Andres Suarez, Jaicella Suarez; his two sisters Tresa Benton of Brush Colorado and Vicky McClure of Maude, Texas, and a multitude of friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Service of Amarillo, Texas.