Melvin Syvester (Vess) Swopes was born December 6, 1927 in Peru, Kansas to Melvin T Swopes and Goldie (Norris) Swopes, and passed away the evening of February 26, 2025 at his home.
The family moved from Kansas to Missouri during the “depression” looking for work. They settled near Houston Mo finding work at the “stave mill. Later they moved to Weaubleau /Collins area after he finished the 8th grade, where he began working to help support their family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Melvin helped the family with various farming enterprises and working the family saw mill. He was inducted into the Army April 13, 1946 and served until October 1947 during which he served in the newly formed Air Force serving in the Phillipine Islands and Guam.
After returning from the armed forces Melvin met the love of his life and had their first date at an Eldorado Springs basket ball tournament. Dorothy Mae (Dawson) and Melvin married on May 15th 1950, only two days after Dorothy graduated high school. To this union two sons were born Rick on January 4th 1952 and Ron on October 3rd 1953.
Melvin worked at Producer’s Grain Company driving a truck, a passion he dearly loved. Around 1960 he went to work for Whitt Printing Company until he retired in 1993.
In 1971 Melvin and Dorothy moved to the farm on VV north of El Dorado. There they raised cattle, bailed hay, cut fescue seed, and helped Rick, Ron, and anybody else that needed it. Melvin truly had a servant’s heart. After retiring Whitt Printing, Melvin took over the driving chores for Circle S Feed, again a passion he loved, and he put a lot of miles on that red truck.
In later years Melvin and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and seeing America on bus tours or just the two of them taking off for a few days to visit friends across the country.
In 1948 Melvin was baptized in Little Clear Creek and was a devoted Christian man attending Pape Christian Church and Community Church of El Dorado springs.
Melvin’s life was devoted to serving others. He was a loving husband a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather and so much more Melvin was truly one of the greatest of the greatest generation
Melvin is survived by his two sons Rick and Ron and wife Janet of El Dorado Springs, MO, one brother Leroy and wife Dorotha of Appleton City, MO, one sister Grace and husband Tom Harold of rural Walker, 2 grandchildren, Rob Davis and wife Michelle of rural Roscoe and Mandy Hutchison and husband Jac of rural Eldorado Springs, great grandchildren Dakota Taylor and wife Rayne, Destiny Taylor, Kolton and wife Brittany Hutchison, Kanen and Kyler Hutchison, great grandsons Quade Hutchison and Tyson Taylor ,great-great granddaughter Kanezlie Hutchison of rural Eldorado Springs, nieces , nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Donations in memory of Vess may be made to
Benton Green Cemetery, Roscoe, MO