Melvin Rufus Smith

Melvin Rufus Smith

Dec. 11, 1949 - Jan. 11, 2015

Melvin Rufus Smith, 65 years old, of Bemidji, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Evergreen Terrace in Grand Rapids, MN with his family by his side. He was born on December 11, 1949 in Cass Lake, the son of Francis and Nancy (Blakley) Smith.

Melvin enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren. Often times you would find him beading, and fixing anything electrical that he could get his hands on. He was a Dancer and you could always find him at pow-wows. He loved to laugh and spending time with his companion Darlene. Melvin served his country in the United States Army as Special Forces SP4 and as an Airborne Ranger/LRRP in the Republic of South Vietnam 1969-1971 following high school. After being honorably discharged he returned to Chicago where he became an iron worker.

The family that Melvin joins again include his parents; Francis, Sr. and Nancy, sons; Melvin, Jr. and Joseph, sisters; Phyllis, Ruby and Jeanette, brothers; Francis, Jr. and LeRoy, grandsons; John, Damien and Jared.

Family he leaves behind to cherish his memory include his companion Darlene, son; Allen Burns, daughters; Melissa Smith Gaines, La Cinda Smith, Catherine "Baby Nancy" Smith, Jennifer Rose, Melanie Burns, Robyn Adams and Terri Adams, 29 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A wake for Melvin will begin at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2015 and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. service on Thursday, January 15, all at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Cass Lake. Father George Ross and Rev. Mark R. Olson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Joey Giveswater, Darryl Adams, Ed St. John, Stacy Smith, Terry O'Conner and Brian Funk. Honorary pallbearers will be his daughters, John Jones, DRM Fishery Staff, All Leech Lake Veterans, brother Calvin Smith and all his nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Military Honors will be accorded by the Leech Lake Honor Guard Legion Post 2001. Inurnment for Melvin will be held at the Oak Point Cemetery at a later date.

Melvin's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com