2009.03.12
Melvin Crewson, Roanoke Valley fishing icon, dies
Those of you who read the obituaries in The Roanoke Times already know that the Roanoke Valley fishing community lost one of its icons this week. Melvin Crewson, the 67-year-old owner of the Minnow Pond, died Tuesday.
Melvin, pictured with his doting wife, Christine, has battled health problems for years, but I was still shocked when I learned of his passing. Not even a month ago I did a story on the reopening of his store, one of the ever-shrinking number of mom-and-pop bait and tackle stores and a place that was devastated by a fire in October of 2008.
I stopped by there last week and Melvin looked fine and was in good spirits. "After that story ran, I had some people who hadn't seen me in a while come in and say, 'Man, Melvin, you got fat!'" he told me, laughing. "Since then I've lost 5 pounds."
My plan is to write a story on Melvin for tomorrow's Roanoke Times.
I hope some of you take time to offer your comments about this fine man.
The hunting/fishing community has suffered a great loss. Melvin will be missed by all who graced the threshold at the Minnow Pond. I am truly saddened by the news, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Comment by Jim Basham — March 12, 2009 @ 11:02 am
The folks buying their fishing gear in local big box stores will never know what they missed by Melvin's passing. Although I live in the NRV and buy most of my fishing supplies from Big-Z's and Elliott's, I've been working more in Roanoke over the last few years and had many opportunities to drop by The Minnow Pond. Like Big-Z's and Elliott's, you may pay a little more but what you get in return more than offsets that. I always leave The Minnow Pond hungry because the aroma of something tasty being cooked in the back room usually fills the store. Melvin would always ask about the fishing in the NRV and freely offered reports on the local waters. "Fish stories" were encouraged and accepted with a wink and a grin. I'll miss Melvin.
Comment by Mike — March 12, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Here's the link to Melvin's guestbook:
http://www.legacy.com/Roanoke/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=125034843
Comment by Mark Taylor — March 12, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Melvins family.
I met Melvin about 30 years ago when he was at the Crappie Hole store. Back in those days when he could get out of the store We'd go hunting together occassionaly. I remember one incident back then when I let Melvin try out my new Baker Climbing tree stand,(first climbers to come out - they were dangerous!). Melvin got about 20 feet up in the tree and the stand fell off his feet and all the way to the ground!!! I'll never forget the sight of him sliding down that tree..... we laughed our butts off!
You will be missed old buddy
Comment by Ralph Barton — March 13, 2009 @ 6:53 am
I've known melvin since I was a boy, he was a great friend and a stewart for the outdoors, I for one will miss him.
Comment by JLS — March 13, 2009 @ 10:44 am
Melvin sold me the first hunting license I ever had and checked the first deer I ever killed. He was just as excited as I was. I just dug out the old check tag dated Nov. 25, 1987. I remember stopping at the old store on Hardy Rd. and checking the deer with my grandfather. What great memories. Rest in peace Melvin.
Comment by chuck sharp — March 13, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Melvin's passing. The whole fishing community has lost a great man. There was nothing better than going to the M.P. and getting minnows because you more than likely would learn something. Good luck in the future with the store and Melvin's family will be in our prayers. God bless you all.
Comment by Stonewall — March 15, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
I BOUGHT MY FIRST ROD AND REEL COMBO FROM MELVIN BACK IN 87 AND OWN UP TIL NPW HAVE BOUGHT ALL MY BAIT AND TACKLE HAVE NOWN MELVIN SINCE I WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD NOW 42 I WILL MISS YOU REST IN PEACE BRYANT
Comment by BRYANT POHLMAN — March 23, 2009 @ 9:04 am