Obituary of Melburn Lamar Oswald

Melburn Lamar Oswald, 79, of Columbia, passed away in Columbia on August 4, 2015. Born September 14, 1935 in Gilbert, SC, he was the son of the late Vernon Vera Oswald and Mattie Amick Oswald. He is survived by his wife of more than 57 years, Mildred Lovett Oswald; son, Carey Glenn Oswald (Ginger); daughter, Wanda Oswald Catoe (Bobby) and daughter, Rhonda Oswald Gass (Roy); grandchildren, Lauren Oswald Watts, Rachel Morgan Oswald, Megan Catoe McElroy, Macy Lee Catoe, Anna Olivia Gass, and Matthew Logan Gass; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is survived by one sister, Laverne Oswald Cook; and one brother, Edward Lee Oswald. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Brooks Darrell Oswald. Melburn was a devoted husband and a loving, over protective father and grandfather. He was a retired Senior Master Sergeant and crew chief from the 169th Fighter Wing of the SC Air National Guard where he served for over 38 years at McEntire SCANG, providing dedicated full time service to his state and nation. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Columbia, SC for over 46 years, serving on the church council and various other church committees. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7th, at Thompson's Funeral at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road in Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 8th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection with burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3707 Moss Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205.