Melvin Laman LUBBOCK-Our beloved Melvin Laman passed away on Nov. 14, 2016, at his home in Lubbock, Texas. Melvin was born on Sept. 10, 1951, in Odessa, Texas, and grew up in Lubbock. He graduated from Texas Tech University and began a career as an aerospace engineer for General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) at its Fort Worth facility. During his career, he managed a department that designed test simulators used by Air Force pilots as they trained to fly the F-16. Working to help train allied nations' fighter pilots on the same aircraft, he spent many months in Israel, Norway and Great Britain - and even took up scuba diving. Melvin was a quiet, gentle soul. His family and friends at the South Plains Food Bank, where he regularly volunteered his business acumen, and at Lubbock's Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he served on the session, will greatly miss him. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Covenant Presbyterian in Lubbock. Melvin, whose hobbies included bridge, science fiction and genealogy, was a wonderful son and companion to his stepfather, David Hester, and his stepmother, Marcy Bateman. He was also dearly loved by his deceased aunt, Jimmie Cox, with whom he travelled to family reunions and on genealogy searches. Melvin was predeceased by his mother, Billie Hester; father, Carlton Laman; and stepmother, Kyleen Laman. He is survived by stepfather, David Hester; stepmother, Marcy Bateman; sisters, Karen Hester and Tina Hester; Tina's husband, Bob Garrett and their son, Wyatt Garrett; brother, Rick Laman and his wife, Ruthann and his daughter, Myrna Gibbs; sister, Jane McKinney and her husband, Rob McKinney and her daughters, Crystal Harrison and Allison O'Neal; and his uncles, Ross Hester and Carl Hester and Carl's wife, Billie Durnan. He is also survived by his loving cousins and their spouses: Sherry and Andy Kenney; Randy and Lyn Hester; Renee Hester; Steve and Olive Hester; Jeff and Jan Hester; Jill Cox Orr and Clifton Orr; and Jamie Cox Propst and Jeremy Propst. Donations in Melvin's memory may be sent to the South Plains Food Bank or the Covenant Presbyterian. South Plains Food Bank: https://www.spfb.org/donate Covenant Presbyterian: http://www.covenantpresbylbk.org/.