In loving memory of Melvin Holman

10/4/1920 - 5/4/2017

Location: Yuma, Arizona

Visits: 9,501

Dr. Melvin Vade Holman passed away at Yuma, Arizona on Mary 4, 2017 at the age of 96.

Vade was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Elva Mae Jeffries Holman. Also by sisters Lena Rucker, Lozina Trotter, Josephine McKeever, brothers Elmer, Walter Victor, Arthur Vernon and niece Karen Holman.

He is lovingly remembered by his two sons, Marston Vade and Melvin Vale, daughter-in-law Jane, two grandsons Mitchell and MacDaniel and two great-grandchildren Jade and Jack. Also by nieces Eva Jo Rutherford, Mary Elise Kathol and nephews Tom Holman, Joe Holman, Cecil Vade McKeever, and Walter and Glenn Rucker, Jr.

Dr. Holman was born in Sharon, Kansas on October 4, 1920. He attended the Sharon grammar and high school until his family moved to Wichita in 1937 where he graduated from North High School in 1938.

Vade attended Wichita University from the fall of 1938 through the winter of 1939, majoring in pre-medicine. Having enlisted in the U.S. Army, he was called to active duty in December of 1940 and served for 5 years in the 35th Rifle Division of the 137th Infantry Regiment. While home on leave in 1942, he and Elva Mae Jeffries were married on September 16 in Spearville, Kansas. He returned to Wichita University in 1946 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine in 1947, then went on to attend the Kansas University School of Medicine where he graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1951. Following graduation he completed an internship at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. That same year his son Marston Vade was born.

Vade and Elva then moved to Kinsley, Kansas where Vade completed a residency. Melvin Vale was born in 1953 in Kinsley. In 1954 Vade returned to Kansas University and completed a second residency in anesthesiology. He practiced as an anesthesiologist in the Kansas City area from 1955 to 1975. At that time Vade and Elva moved to Norman, Oklahoma were he practiced at Goddard Health Center at Oklahoma University.

After retiring in 1987, Vade and Elva shared time between their home in Norman and their home at Almont, Colorado. They often travelled to visit their grandsons in Kansas and Ohio. They enjoyed square dancing and country-line dancing. Vade played golf almost daily and loved trout fishing in Colorado. He and Elva were active in the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Holman was respected by all who knew him as a true Christian and family man. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

A funeral service will be held at the Milan Cemetery in Milan, Kansas on Saturday, July 15 with Pastor Val Warman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to AMVETS at amvets.org – Melvin V. Holman Memorial.