MELVIN DALE GERING FEBRUARY 22, 1933 DECEMBER 2, 2022 Melvin Dale Gering, 89, passed from this life to his new heavenly home on December 2, 2022 to join his wife, parents, and brothers. Melvin was born at home near Shallow Water, Kansas on February 22, 1933 to Noah and Edna (Krehbiel) Gering. He grew up in Kingman, Kansas and graduated from Kingman High School in 1951. The family then moved to Pierre, South Dakota for farming opportunities. Mel was a gifted vocalist and traveled all over South Dakota as a song evangelist. He was recruited and accepted by Chicago Metropolitan Opera in 1952 but declined due to being needed on the family farm. He met the love of his life, Alta Mae Adams, at a revival where he was singing. It was love at first sight! They were married on June 7, 1953 and welcomed their first of four sons exactly one year later. Mel and Alta moved to Bethany, Oklahoma in the fall of 1954 where he attended Bethany-Peniel College (Southern Nazarene University). He began his career with Western Electric (AT&T) in 1958 as a systems analyst and supervisor until his retirement in 1997. A few years later, he worked for J & R Equipment where he made close friends and shared his faith. Mels entire life was faith, family, friends and music. He was bold in his faith and shared the story of Christ with anyone he met. He sang solos in church until the last fifteen years. He was a master craftsman and could make or repair almost anything. Mel was a welder, maker of amazing swords and knives. He built his deck when in his eighties, made many leather crafts, repaired plumbingwhatever was needed. He was always the familys first call. Mel and Alta loved family vacations and planned each year to see their loved ones, go camping (with 4 little boys) in Yellowstone, South Dakota and especially Colorado. Later they would visit son, Alan and family in Alaska and son, Kevin and family in Idaho. In his later years, Mel really enjoyed going with Kent to Lake Tenkiller to fish. He spent time with Perry in his garage woodworking. He was always up for whatever his family wanted or needed. Melvin is survived by his sister, Elvera (Gering) Smith of Huntington Beach, CA; sons, Kent Gering (Sharon) of Yukon, OK, Perry Gering (Laura) of Bethany, OK, Alan Gering (Carol) of Eugene, OR, and Kevin Gering (Kristi) of Idaho Falls, ID. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Matt Gering (Vivian) & Andrew Gering of Yukon, OK, Rob Gering (Rachel), Daniel Gering (Jeana) of Oklahoma City, OK, Melanie Gering of Raleigh, NC, Brad Gering (Sarah) of Boulder CO, Shanna Irvin (Brandon) of Fairbanks, AK, Sara Gering of Juneau, AK, Anna Gering, Katie Gering, & Jonathan Gering of Idaho Falls, ID; eleven great-grandchildren, Sophie, Rex, Elliott & Graham Gering of Oklahoma City, OK, Tyler Gering of Boulder, CO, Janelle Gering of Oklahoma City, OK, Elias, Lilia, & Nora of Fairbanks, AK, Noah & Liana Gering of Yukon, OK. Mel is also survived by nephews, nieces and many close friends, that he loved dearly. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. S. Dean Brown, Southern Plaza Assisted Living, and Good Shepherd Hospice for their exceptional care of Dad. Visitation with family present will be Thursday, December 29, 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams. Services will be Friday, December 30, 2:00pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel in Bethany, OK. The services will be live streamed and available to watch on this obituary page. . Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Thursday, December 29, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Memorial Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Friday, December 30, 2022 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 The service will be webcast and will be available to view on this obituary page.