Melvin Albert Barks, Sr.

Funeral services for Melvin Albert Barks, Sr., 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Barks passed away at 9:44 a.m., Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Ozarks Medical Center. 

He was born February 27, 1942, at Cureall, Missouri, to Clarance Raymond Barks and Flora Alice Wheat Barks. On August 24, 1963, he was married at Olden, Missouri, to Mary Johnston.  Mr. Barks was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  Melvin worked for the City of West Plains for over 30 years and was a volunteer firefighter.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved sharing his passion with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Barks; four children, Roger Carter, West Plains, Teresa Fultz, West Plains, Melinda O’Malley and husband, Mike, Palm Bay, Florida and Melvin “Chuck” Barks, Jr., West Plains; ten grandchildren, Joshua Johnson and wife, Katrina, Melvin (Cody) Barks and wife, Jennifer, Dustin Barks, Jacob Barks and wife, Meagan, Maddison Fultz, Amanda Wymer, Ronnie Fultz, Michael O’Malley and wife, Yoshi, Justin O’Malley and wife, Becca and Austin O’Malley and wife, Brittney; bonus granddaughter, Kenya Morris; fifteen great-grandchildren, Ceira O’Malley, Landon Fultz, D’Layne Allison, Aurora Barks, Tara Barks, Kinnley Barks, Leia Barks, Ella Barks, Yuri Davis, Daxton Fultz, Estella Johnson, Adam O’Malley, Bridgette O’Malley, Gracie O’Malley and Addlyn Howell; two bonus great-grandchildren, Lilly and Nemo Morris; one sister, Mildred Warren and husband, Verdon, one brother-in-law, Steve Johnston and wife, Tammy, one sister-in-law, Lillian Barks; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

His parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Edith Smith and John Lewis Johnston; four brothers, Vanis, Kenneth, Orville and Trueal, four sisters, Mary, Ona, Dora and infant, Lois, two sons-in-law, Keith Baker and Anthony Fultz, in-laws, Leroy and Cecil Johnston and Ann and John Shannon, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.