Melvin Earl Kronk

Melvin Earl Kronk, 97, of Corpus Christi, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022. Melvin was born in Chamois, Missouri, in 1924.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Marietta Naylor, parents Amos & Theresa Kronk, his 6 siblings: Clarence, Bob, Bill, Marie, John, and Ithel, and son-in-law Bryan Bliven.

He is survived by his second wife Edna Brown Kronk; children Earl (Marilynn) Kronk, Donna Rae, and Margaret Bliven; 10 grandchildren: Eugene (Carrie) Kronk, Sandra Lompe, Jennifer Bliven, Melissa (Allen) Cook, Timothy (Shanna) Kronk, Michelle (Ram) Lompe, April (Robert) Vaughan, David (Tara) Bliven, Keith Lompe, and Eric Bliven; 22 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces & nephews.

Melvin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed in Corpus Christi, where he met the love of his life, Marietta Naylor. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage until her death in 2007. A year later he met the second love of his life Edna Brown, and they enjoyed traveling the world together. Melvin was always up for adventure and even went white-water rafting at age 87!

Melvin was a life-long Scouter, earning Eagle Scout as a boy, then later was his son’s scoutmaster. He also held other positions in the Gulf Coast Council and was a board member for many years. He played trombone throughout school then later in the Navy. All the family enjoyed hearing Pops play.

Melvin had always been a devout Christian, first at South Bluff Methodist (where he met Marietta), Oak Park United Methodist, and last St. Luke’s United Methodist. He held just about every leadership position possible in the Methodist Church over the years. He and Marietta were also very active in the Emmaus Community.

His father-in-law Harold Naylor had started Corpus Christi Hatchery in 1926 and when Melvin married Marietta in 1946 he began working full-time for the hatchery. In 1970 he was instrumental in moving the business to a new building on the corner of Old Robstown Road and Agnes and it was re-named Naylor’s Farm & Ranch Supply. Long after his “retirement” he still came in the store to do a little work and keep an eye on things.

Melvin loved his family and life and was one of the kindest men to ever live. When he got to heaven we’re sure St. Peter met him personally and said “Well Done, Thy Good and Faithful Servant.”

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Sunday, January 9 at Sawyer George Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 10, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. Burial to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.