Major Melvin Leon Raborn, retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard, passed away October 12, 2026 at the age of 90. He was born to the late Leon and Lois (Tanner) Raborn in Carlisle, Arkansas on July 21, 1936.
Melvin graduated from Carlisle High School in 1953, attended Arkansas Polytechnical College in Russellville, and graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway in 1958, where he met his wife of 69 years, Joyce Ann Ray. Over the years he would serve in the Arkansas National Guard, sell auto parts, and teach school in Hughes, and McGehee. In 1966 he moved back home to Carlisle to continue teaching Industrial Arts and math, work the family farm, continue serving in the National Guard, and raise his family. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carlisle, a member of the Jaycees, in the Carlisle Auxiliary Police, and served as an alderman.
Melvin was a musician, craftsman, and life-long learner. He played clarinet in high school and college bands, taught himself to play the guitar, and was a leader in starting the handbell choir at church. He was a woodworker, a welder, and taught himself how to use a computer.
Melvin will be remembered as a father, uncle, and grandfather who always found ways to delight and inspire awe in those around him, and make them feel special. He had a sense of humor and was known for being a bit of a trickster, as well as performing a few magic tricks. He could make something out of anything and he would take his family and grandchildren on adventures, such as exploring Blanchard Springs caverns, geocaching, fishing on Two Prairie Bayou, and looking under the firewood for earthworms. And with those that were too small for those types of adventures, you would find him on the floor, playing what they wanted to play, talking with them, or carrying them around the house, telling them stories about the people in the pictures.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents; and two younger siblings, Charlotte (Raborn) Brown and Jerry Raborn. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Ray) Raborn; children, Melinda Kinnison (Mike) of Scott, and Phillip Raborn (Tonya Petrus) of Maumelle; his grandchildren, Chris Kinnison (Sami Belford), Katy Williams (Jonathan), Shelby Copeland (Connor), and Reese Raborn; and 6 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 18th, 2026 from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas. Graveside services will be Monday, October 19th, 2026 beginning at 9:30 A.M. at the Old Carlisle Cemetery on Raborn Road in Carlisle, Arkansas followed by a memorial service beginning 11:00 A.M. held at Carlisle First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Old Carlisle Cemetery in Carlisle, Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted with Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen, Arkansas.