Melvin Lawrence Harris, age 85, of Ada, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2026.

Melvin was born on May 30, 1941, in Boron, California, to Glenn and Roberta Harris. From an early age, he dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ. His passion for teaching the Bible began at the age of 12, when he taught his very first Sunday School class—a ministry he faithfully carried on for the rest of his life, only stepping back a few months ago when health challenges required finding a substitute. Deeply committed to helping others engage with Scripture, Melvin authored and published Study Questions for Daily Bible Readings, Part I & II, designed to help readers comprehend and retain God’s Word alongside a daily reading plan. After graduating from Victorville High School, Melvin attended Life Bible College (now Life Pacific University), where he pursued the love of his life, Charlotte, whom he married in 1963. He became an incredibly loving and devoted father to his three children, Lavonna, Larry, and Wayne. To his great delight, he eventually became a grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A diligent worker all his life, Melvin served as an interim pastor at Lucerne Valley Foursquare Church, while also working full-time at Harris Transportation, a family business founded by his father and uncle. After selling that company, Melvin and his father partnered to operate Ada Sales & Rental in Ada, Oklahoma. Melvin and his wife, Charlotte, packed up their young family and moved to Ada to run the business in 1980. Throughout his decades in business, Melvin made it his mission to lead with unwavering integrity, leaving a legacy of honesty and hard work that lives on in his children.

Melvin always had a project and put meaning to the phrase, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Melvin was known to bring all kinds of interesting things home from an auction, like 2 tons of highway guardrails or 3 semi loads of steel desks or an old firetruck or a retired limousine. He was always dreaming of things that he thought others would enjoy. A good example of that is a trolley that was built from an old RV.

Though his physical heart eventually failed him, his heart for others never did. He was a dedicated leader in his church, a generous community member, and a steadfast source of wisdom and strength to his family. He earned a 60-year service award from the International Foursquare Church.

Melvin is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte; his children, Lavonna Detter and husband Dave, Larry Harris and wife Angela, Wayne Harris and wife Terry; nine grandchildren and their spouses; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Roberta Harris; two sisters, Evelyn Harris and Marilyn West; and his brother-in-law, Dwight West.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at The Refuge Foursquare Church, 1001 Tipton Terrace, Ada, Oklahoma, with Denny Truett and Justin Truett officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Criswell Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Melvin would have loved for tributes to go to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the mission field, something he gave generously to all his life. Donations may be made to Foursquare Missions at foursquaremissions.org/give.