Richard "Duane" Melugin

Duane Melugin passed away Saturday, April 16th 2022 in Tulsa Oklahoma, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 3rd, 1940 in Pryor, Oklahoma to Willie Mansfield and Edna Mae (Campbell) Melugin. He graduated from Pryor High School where he was active in the Mayes County 4-H Club, competing in livestock judging. This led to him winning State Champion, High Individual, his senior year and an award of a talent scholarship to Oklahoma State University. After graduating high school, he served his country in the National Guard and at age 18 purchased his first truck with which he hauled feed and lime. This led to his life long career owning and managing his own trucking company. Not a man to be content with only one career, he was also a lifelong stockman, raising cattle on his family farm. Duane married the love of his life, Donna Wolf, in 1961 and they celebrated 61 years together. He is well known among his family and friends for his ironclad memory and booming laughter, which could both be frequently overheard at the liar’s table at any number of local coffee shops. He was a hobby historian and an avid reader. Many nights found him reading by lamp light about Oklahoma and the history of the Cherokee Nation, of which he was a proud member. A man of deep faith, his family will remember him reading the story of Christ’s birth from the book of Luke every Christmas surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was supportive of his family in all their endeavors but he was particularly keen on supporting them in their education, spending countless mornings and evenings ferrying grandkids to and from school.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday April 21, 2022, in Pleasant View Baptist Church with Reverend Jerold Pilant officiating. Visitation will be held immediately following the service. Burial will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022  in the Graham Memorial Cemetery in Pryor with Robert Melugin, Curtis Johnson, Jarrod Melugin, Jerrod Martin, Seth Johnson, John Melugin, Jace Melugin, Kale Melugin, and Zane Melugin serving as casket bearers. To leave his family a message, please visit his tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s funeral & Cremation Service.

Duane is survived by his wife, Donna Melugin of the home: son, Robert Melugin and wife Phylicia of Pryor, Oklahoma: daughter, Leigh Melugin-Johnson and husband Curtis of Claremore, Oklahoma; sisters, Juanita Erickson of Concord, California, Beverly Melugin and husband Joe Wiseman of Pleasanthill, California, and Maj-Brit Melugin and husband Bill Vaughn of Lafayette, California, Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Dan and Sheila Brooks of Salado, Texas: 6 grandchildren: Jarrod Melugin and wife Sara, Natalie Martin and husband Jerrod, Seth Johnson and girlfriend Becky Zawalski, Ashtin Johnson, Maggie Melugin, and John Melugin: 6 great-grandchildren, Jace Melugin, Kale Melugin, Zane Melugin, Piper Martin, Maverick Martin, Mayce Martin; and many other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Edna Melugin, brother, Donald Melugin: nephew, Brooks Davis: niece, Christine Brooks: brothers-in-law George Swift and Arnold Erickson.