Melvin Light

Feb. 15, 1934 ~ Jan. 17, 2026

Melvin Light of Valley Mills, Texas, passed away at a McGregor Care Center surrounded by family. Funeral Services will be held 11 AM Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Valley Mills First Baptist Church with Pastor Adam Hailes officiating. Burial will be in the Valley Mills Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his memory to either the Valley Mills Fire Department or the Valley Mills Cemetery, PO Box 253, Valley Mills, Texas  76689

Melvin Daniel Light was born February 15, 1934, in Erath County, Texas, during the Great Depression. He was the third child and first son of Elbert Pinkney "Pop" Light and Lillie Mae Freedman Light. He grew up in rural Erath and Bosque Counties, including Valley Mills and Mosheim, where life centered on farming, hard work, and family. He went to school at Mosheim, where he gradated eight grade as valedictorian. He graduated high school from Valley Mills High School. After high school, Melvin attended the University of Texas on a track scholarship. .

In 1953, he was married to to Erba Prosser, who preceded him in death. He later married Penny Johnson in 2017.

Melvin spent his working life in construction and manufacturing, including years with Reynolds Manufacturing. He later owned and operated his own businesses, working for himself and managing construction-related and equipment work that took him across Texas and other parts of the country. Although he worked many different jobs, he was mostly known as a land leveler. He worked on building the Waco Dam. He owned a Land leveler business several years and worked from California to Idaho.  Melvin Daniel Light will be remembered for his strong work ethic, independence, and quiet determination — qualities shaped by a lifetime of hard work and self-reliance.

He was preceded in death by four siblings: C.E. Light, Tommy Light, Geraldine McMillan, and Nadine Kroll.

Survivors include his wife Penny Light, children: Jenny Lou Ingram, Janet Linthicum, Foy Light, and Dana Light; step-children; Nicole Jackson, Leslie Johnson, James Johnson, and Lillie Brown; 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; brothers: Bird Light, Buck Light, and Mickey Light.

Melvin Light Memorial Video

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