Obituary

Melvin Temples

May 12, 1938 - February 5, 2022

Melvin Temples, a Washington Parish native and longtime resident of Bogalusa, peacefully departed his earthly life on February 5, 2022, at the New Orleans V.A. Medical Center, while surrounded by his family.  He was 83 years of age.

He graduated from Varnado High School in 1956 and served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1961 through 1964.  He retired from his position as a machine operator with Crown Zellerbach Multiwall Bag Plant in 1978 after 22 years.

Melvin always had kind words and a smile to greet everyone he met, and quick wit to liven up, or to lighten, any situation.  He was always catching up with old friends or making new ones and learning about their backgrounds and their relatives and friends, which many times it turned out that he already knew.  He was a living, breathing, talking, joking and laughing genealogy book, full of old-time wisdom and wonderful stories, for the families and people of Washington Parish.  A loyal and true friend, he was always happy to take friends and relatives to medical appointments or other errands.  He loved spending time with his best friends, whether drinking coffee or a coke and talking (these activities were always inseparable for him) or watching sports or hanging out at a party or get-together, or a favorite spot.

In his younger days he enjoyed playing basketball and especially baseball.  He played first base for the Gaylord Merchants baseball team in the 1960s, softball in the Main Street Ball Park League, and organized basketball.

Melvin was a member of Central Missionary Baptist Church, American Legion Post #24 and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Trent and Shelby Temples of Bogalusa, two grandchildren, Colton Temples and Ainsley Temples, also of Bogalusa, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Elaine Spencer Knight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas "Tommy" Temples and Dixie Sheridan Temples; his brothers, Rujay Temples,

Visitation will be Saturday, February 19, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa.  A memorial service will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at Garden of Peace in Ponemah Cemetery.  Military graveside rites will be performed by Magic City American Legion Post #24.  The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his memory to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Bogalusa Help Center.