Melvin Alfonso Montague

Melvin was born September 20, 1955, on Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), San Antonio, Texas, to Leonard Montague, Jr. and Beatrice Faye (Gregg) Montague.

Melvins first 3 years of school was in Chadereaux, France, 1961-1964. Upon returning to the states in 1964 he attended elementary school in Altus, OK on Altus AFB, where he played and enjoyed football and wrestling on the school teams. In 1968 he attended Jefferson Davis Junior High School in San Antonio, Tx. During his time at Jefferson Davis, he discovered a talent for music, specifically the saxophones, Alto, baritone, and tenor saxophone. He played music by ear, needed no sheet music.

In 1970 Melvin attended Vernon Elementary school in Portland, Oregon. During the summer of 1971, he participated in the YCC program which allowed him to work in the mountains cutting trails for horses, during the summer at the Cascade Mountains. Melving discovered a love for “the woods”.

In 1971 Melvin attended John Adams High School, in Portland, Oregon. Melvin excelled in sports, ran track and field, played football, basketball, and he enjoyed wrestling. Melvin also excelled scholastically completing high school in 3 years. Melvin also had a gift for drawing in his architectural classes, he designed a two-story business building all dimensions.

After graduating from Adams high school, in 1974, Melvin attended Mount Hood Community College. The love Melvin had for the woods directed him to move to the Oregon Forestry Service as a firefighter. Melvin also served in the Army and was honorably discharged.

Melvin attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, when in 1970 he confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by Pastor Felton Howard. In later years Melvin attended Mt Calvary Church under Bishop Daniels.

Melvin became a known fixture at Portland Community College (PCC) and the surrounding neighborhood.

Melvin enjoyed dancing and listening to “The Motown Sound”. Melvin wasn’t afraid to start a fight to protect his little brother or show his little sister how to fight by hitting bricks.

Melvin’s memories will live in us and from time to time we will feel that loss, but the memories that make us think about good times, will keep us laughing a lifetime.