Melvin "Tex" Rance Chailland, 69, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at his residence.
Mel was born Feb. 20, 1948 to Seeward and Georgia (McClain) Chailland in Kennett, Mo. He graduated from Doniphan High School in 1966 and later received his degree from Troy State in Business and Aviation. During college, he worked as an electrician foreman for Buick Motors. He retired from the United States Army and Army Reserve after nearly 40 years and achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and during Operation Desert Storm was a Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot. After his retirement, he flew for Petroleum Helicopter Inc in the Gulf of Mexico and AirEvac out of Phoenix, Ariz. On Jan. 14, 2003, he married Mary Constransitch in Doniphan.
Mel loved raising horses and participating in trail rides. Most of all he was an avid golfer and was known on many of the local courses.
He was a lifetime member of Composite Lodge #396 in Doniphan.
Mel is survived by his loving wife, Mary Chailland of Poplar Bluff; his mother, Georgia Chailland of Doniphan; two sons: Ty Chailland of Dothan, Ala. and Luke Chailland of Poplar Bluff; one sister, Regina Wheeler and husband Francis of Doniphan; three step-children, Addie Martin and husband Jeremy of New Orleans, La., Joy King-Guidry and husband Adam of Golden Meadow, La., and Jesse King of Golden Meadow, La.; one grandson, Jordan Chailland and wife Erica of Dothan, Ala.; two step-grandchildren, Macy R. Callais and Alexander P. Guidry; one great-granddaughter, Kassie Leanne Chailland; three nieces, Julie Boothe and husband Sam and their children, Maddox and Aspen Wheeler of Doniphan, Elizabeth Norwood and husband Louis and their children, Xander and Gunner Norwood of Jonesboro, Ark., and Eva Corley of San Diego, Calif.; and one nephew, Paul Corley of Doniphan.
He was preceded in death by his father, Seeward Rance Chailland; and his half-sister, Rosemary Bryer.
Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in the Moore Funeral Service Chapel with Brother Larry Bashaw officiating.
Online obituary and register book: www.moorefuneralservice.com
Paid