Melvin Lamar Dillon died Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at his residence in Vicksburg after his courageous battle with cancer. He was 51.

Melvin was an incredible man with a huge heart, beautiful smile and a firm handshake. He had a heart big enough to love every person he met. He worked as a machinist at Marathon-LeTourneau for 23 years, with a brief seven years on a construction job in Jacksonville, Fla., at Miley Industries.

Melvin loved Nascar, Ole Miss and the New Orleans Saints. Everyone who knew him, knew of his devotion to the band “Cheap Trick.” His love of music came through in every aspect of his life — he wrote so many beautiful songs — and his legacy of poetry will live on forever.

The greatest part of his life was the importance of close relationships with those he loved. Friendships ran deep and the love he had for others was an inspiration.

He met the love of his life, Aletha, and experienced the greatest joys of marriage and the pride and love of being a father and grandfather. Melvin’s love and life will live on forever in the hearts and lives of us who were honored to call him family and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Peggy Salters Dillon.

He is survived by his wife, Aletha Fulgham Dillon of Vicksburg; a son, Jesse Crouse of Vicksburg; two daughters, Amy Crouse (Terry Wooten) and Julie Crouse (Steven Thompson) both of Vicksburg; a sister, Jeanette Schobey (Travis) of Wesson; four brothers, Mitchell Dillon of Oklahoma, Michael Dillon and Gene Dillon, both of Utica, and John Scherer (Carol) of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Logan Thompson, Summer Crouse, Dalton Nowell and Gage Crouse; nieces and nephews, Linda Ann French, Don Smith (Caitlin), James Dillon (Lauren), John Dillon, Richard Dillon, Katherine Dillon, Stephen Dillon, Justin Barney (Amanda) and Nathan Scherer (Kelly); great-nieces and great-nephews, Brianna Banks, Lauren French, Leah Scherer, Landon Barney, Levi Scherer and Savannah Barney; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; a host of close friends around the country; and lifelong friends, Della Leach, Tim Tompkins, Robbie Covington and Ray Ford, often called his second father.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Glenwood Funeral Home chapel in Utica. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Friday until the hour of the service at the funeral home in Utica. Interment will follow at the Utica Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Crouse, Tim Tompkins, Robbie Covington, Tom Fulgham, Don Smith Jr. and Payton Fulgham.

Glenwood Funeral Home in Utica is in charge of arrangements.