Melvin William Clinton Jr. of Turkey, longtime Texas Baptist pastor, died April 11 in Silverton. He was 88. He was born Jan. 11, 1937, in Ponca City, Okla., to Melvin Edward and Alta King Clinton. He married Guyretta Ruth Baker on June 2, 1957, in Uncas, Okla. He was pastor of First Baptist Church in Turkey 48 years. He previously served at First Baptist Church in Lamont, Okla., and Bethel Baptist Church in Funston. He also was actively involved in the Kairos and Emmaus ministries. He had served on the Turkey Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service several years and was a member of the Turkey Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his wife Guyretta Ruth; daughter Debra Zanardi; son-in-law Mark Zanardi; and two sisters, Ida Mae Wright and Roseanne Snodgrass. Survivors include son Gary Clinton and wife Theresa of Silverton; daughter Karen Rice and husband Walt of Howardwick; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother Madison Clinton of Altus, Okla.; and sister Ellen Neely of Ponca City, Okla. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on April 15 at First Baptist Church in Turkey. The family request memorials be sent to First Baptist Church in Turkey.
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