Milford Leon "Mel" Tea - Dec 5, 1924-Oct 2009

      Milford Leon Tea was born December 5, 1924, the second son of George Washington Tea and Clara-Mae Ann Buttel Tea near Sherman Major County Oklahoma. He received his education at Dell plain elementary and Waynoka High School, dropping out after his sophomore year, later getting his GED and attending Eastern New Mexico University. His brother, Charles Richard Tea was stillborn, so Milford, as the eldest son, had many farm responsibilities. His parents employed Lewis George, a member of the Cherokee Nation, and Mel learned much from this man. On February 22, 1928, his brother Virden Francis Tea, was born and they were joined by another boy, Marvin Leroy Tea, on September 10, 1936

 Milford as a boy, worked for his paternal grandparents, Frederick William Buttel. When World War II started he was doing all his father's farming and was deferred entering the Army, where he then served with the 123rd Quartermaster Bakery Company as a staff sergeant, spending most of his two-year tour on Guam. He used the G.I. Bill to learn the carpentry trade, where he worked for Gerald McCray Construction. They built homes including cabinets and did finish work.

 He and Mona Lou Callaway were married at Alva, Oklahoma, on June 5, 1948 their children are Milford Randall, Robin LaVerne and Melinda Lou. Milford was employed by the AT&SF Railway, and part-time for Webb Electric, his interest being sparked in household appliance sales, delivery and repair. When the railway laid off in March 1953 he was employed by Kitchen Mart in Guymon, Oklahoma.  Mona and the children joined him by the end of April.  They lived in Guymon until August 1965, when they moved to Santa Fe. In Santa Fe, he was employed by the Maytag Shop and he continued working in household appliance delivery and servicing.

 Mel became a teacher at Northern New Mexico Vocational and Technical School.  In August 1973, he joined the staff at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, retiring in December 1985.

 He was predeceased by his parents, George and Clara Tea; his brothers, Charles Frederick, and Marvin Leroy; and his parents-in-law, John and Estella Lockhart Callaway.

 To treasure his life and memories are his sons, Randall and wife, Lorraine, of American Fork, Utah, Robin and wife, Donna, of Bountiful, Utah, and his daughter, Melinda King, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.  (Roy Dan King, of Cloudcroft.)  He is survived by nine grandsons and four granddaughters, Kevin Don (Sidney), Jody Randall (Phoebe), Cameron Austin (Susan), Geren Bryce (Megan) Jonathan William (Megan), Richard LaVerne (Janeen) and Michael Leon (Julie) Tea, Jon Rodrick and Jordan Roy King, Kristen Monique Tea Updahl (Tom), Destiny Summer Tea Williams (Chad), Brittany Marche Tea Zeph (Peter) and Kelly Elizabeth King Manwill (Chris).  There are 34 great-grandchildren, Aaron, Victoria, Dorothy, Tyler, Kailee, Asia, Shaye, Kalei, Adam, Ellie, August, Quincy and Mayah Tea; Kolton, Tanner, Cambrie, Jacey and Samuel Updahl; Logan, Autumn Sicily, Sage and Easton Williams; Berkley, William, Issac, Emalyn Zeph; and Stacey, Brooke, Kaylah and C.J. Manwill.

 He is also survived by his brother Virden F. Tea, and his wife, Ann Callaway Tea, of Clovis; their son, Johnnie Tea, of Salt Lake  City, and their daughter, Feryl Tea Smith, and spouse, Wayne of San Angelo, Texas; nieces, Kima Lea Tea and Kay Callaway Kincaid; nephews, Paul Tea and Dr. Vemon Powders,; and many other relatives and friends.

 Mel belonged to the BPO Elks for more than 50 years and belonged to the Christian Church.  He bowled for several years as well as square-danced.  He enjoyed teaching and made many student friends.  He and Mona spent several years doing genealogy research and RV’ing to visit relatives and friends.  After retirement, they participated in arts and crafts shows where he displayed and sold wood crafts.  In the 1990s they became interested in antiques – he particularly, in tools and items used by ancestors.  Mona said if it was iron and heavy, Mel collected it.

 Mel was a beloved companion more than 61 years, a loved grandpa for 38 years and held in high regard by his great-grandchildren.

 Cremation has taken place.  Family memorial services will be held at a later date.

 Please share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at http://www.andersonbethany.com.

 Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.