Melvin Laug

USNVietnamLAUGMelvin. Beloved husband of Kathy (nee Poynter) Laug for 29 years. Loving son of Eulia and the late Ralph Laug. Dear brother of Kenneth, Ernest (Petra), Cathy Lipps, Sue (Tim) Smith, and the late Ralph Jr., Mike, and Robbie. Caring uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Mel was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 23, 1951. He was the second of eight children. Mel joined the Navy at 18 years of age. He served in Vietnam on the destoyer, USS Strauss. Mel "gunner" Laug's duty was gunners mate. He received a Letter of Commendation for life saving while stationed in Pearl Harbor. After returning home from the service he was a Pinball/Juke Box repair technician. On Valentine's Day 1981 he married Kathy. They were married for 29 years and nine months. His electronics career advanced to an electronic engineering technician from bench work to supervision. In 1991 Mel and Kathy purchased an 142 acre farm in Kentucky; a lot of grass mowing, some hay, and a lot of fun. In 1998 PTSD from his Vietnam experience took over and turned their world upside down. Mel retired. The farm was his retreat and he loved it. Many stray country dogs and cats were rescued and given homes. His 3 current dogs - Baby Girl, Bubba, and Roadster, and his 5 cats - Momma, Mabel, Shadow, Mr. B., and Trapper will miss him. In December 2006 Mel was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer took his life on September 27, 2010. He will be missed by many. Friends may call at Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pike, Springdale, Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 1:00 PM until time of funeral service at 3:30 PM. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Rescue www.Petalliance.org - Pay Pal Tax deductible or mail check to Pet Alliance, 1250 Ohio Pike #210, Amelia, Ohio 45102.