Melvin D. "Butch" Brown

(Editor's Note: Some information for this story was provided by the Daily American Republic at Poplar Bluff).

Rector native and retired Poplar Bluff banker Melvin D. "Butch" Brown died Friday, Sept. 28, at a Tennessee hospital where he was flown for treatment of injuries he suffered when his motorcycle was struck by a sport-utility vehicle.

Brown, 60, reportedly died about 20 minutes after arriving at Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis. He was seriously injured in a crash at 3:19 p.m. Friday near the intersection of North Westwood Boulevard and Russell Road.

According to Poplar Bluff Police Patrolman Andrew Cleaveland's report, Melissa Kay Gamine, 36, of Greenville was operating a 2001 Dodge Durango on the Kroger parking lot, heading westbound. At the same time, Cleaveland said, Brown was operating a 2006 Harley Road King motorcycle in the inside northbound lane of Westwood Boulevard, approaching the Kroger lot.

Cleaveland said Gamine's SUV entered the roadway and crossed the northbound outside lane, traveling southwest. As Brown's motorcycle passed the Kroger entrance, Gamine's SUV struck it, Cleaveland said.

The motorcycle was "pushed sideways (to the left)," Cleaveland said. "This caused the left side foot peg to imbed in the asphalt road surface. This, along with the initial impact, caused an immediate stop for (the motorcycle)."

Brown, according to Cleaveland, was "fully ejected and thrown clear" of his motorcycle, landing partially in the southbound inside lane and the center turn lane.

"(He) was airborne for approximately 18 feet 7 inches," based on the evidence at the scene, Cleaveland said. A witness reported to Cleaveland that Brown attempted to avoid Gamine's vehicle.

Brown was born March 15, 1947, in Rector to the late Neville Lynn and Marie (Meredith) Brown. He had retired this year as CEO and Regional Manager of U.S. Bank of Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Brown previously worked as Comptroller for the U.S. Treasury and, before moving to Poplar Bluff, had been President of Boatman's Bank in West Plains, Mo.

Mr. Brown was a member of the First Christian Church in Poplar Bluff and was an Elder, Stewardship Chairman and sang in the choir. He was an Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam war as a helicopter pilot instructor.

He was married Jan. 9, 1993, in West Plains to Vicky Lynn Richman Brown, who survives.

Other survivors include five children, Jason D. Brown and friend Doug Heath of Lakeland, Fla., Justin D. Brown and wife Kacie of Hayti, Angela D. Bradford and husband John of Poplar Bluff, Jennifer H. Davis and friend Mike Welter of Cape Girardeau, and Jason R. Henry of Poplar Bluff; 13 grandchildren, Jessica Davis, Rachel Brown, Catelyn Chism, Curry Sellers, Andrew Sellers, Christa Blank, Michael Snapko, Ashley Snapko, Jonathan Soska, Kaitlyn Bradford, Kaylee Bradford, Logan Bradford and Brina Davis; one brother, Neville Lynn "Sonny" Brown Jr. and wife Sandy of Rector; three sisters, Sandi Rudi and husband Karl of Paragould, Joanne Mathis and husband Louis of VanCleave, Miss., and Mary Lawrence of Rector; one sister-in-law, Willow Dean Wheeler of Paragould; one brother-in-law, Howard Winberry of Malden, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Brown was preceded in death by a brother, J.E. Wheeler; a sister, Marlis Winberry, and a brother-in-law, James Lawrence.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the First Christian Church in Poplar Bluff with Dr. Steven Williams officiating. A visitation was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the First General Baptist Church in Rector, with burial following at 2:30 p.m. at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector. Full military rites were held at the cemetery.

The family requests memorials may be made to UCAN (United Cancer Assistance Network), 1419 Maud St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.