Melissa Ashley James

Melissa kept her beautiful imagination. Her family is sure that is why she was so talented in so many art mediums. She also had a great sense of humor and wit. Her mother was sure she would grow up to be on SNL! And kindness. Melissa had the kindest, truest heart of anyone we’ve ever known. Sometimes that was a curse for her. She also had a very strong sense of right and wrong, and did not hesitate to share her views on the matter.

Melissa was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV and lived there until age 24, when she and her mother moved to Southern Oregon. She attended ATEC High School and received Graphic Artist Student of the Year, and graduated with High Honors in 2013.

Anyone who knew Melissa, knew that she loved video games, was a master at DDR, and loved Manga, anime, and just about everything Japanese. One of her life goals was to visit Japan. Melissa also loved all animals and was often called the animal whisperer by her family. She loved nature as well. Especially bodies of water. From a bath and pool to lakes, creeks and the oceans, that was her greatest solace along with the stars.

Melissa loved easily and deeply. There was no guile in her. She loved all of her family and was especially close with her mom, Laurie James, her dad, Ron James, and sister, Aidan Belt. And although her grandfather, Leonard Olson lives in South Dakota, she would visit and they had a special bond. Toward the last few months of life Melissa had a boyfriend, Michael Slajda. They were kindred spirits and brought much light into each other's lives. Her family is very grateful for the time she had with Michael. And as everyone knows, she loved her two dogs Tinkerbell and Penny. They were her constant companions and will be well taken care of by her mom.

Besides art, Melissa was a talented writer. She left a sad, but hauntingly beautiful note for her family. There is and will always be a great hole in our hearts, but the line that gives her mother and father a small amount of peace is: “If the wind does take what is left, do not weep. I will be free.”

Melissa fought mental anguish and depression for most of her life. She was extremely strong-minded and her parents are amazed she fought as hard and long as she did. She succumbed to suicide in the early morning hours of November 15, 2020 at the age of 25. We share this information because we believe Melissa would have wanted us to, and because the stigma, blame and shame of suicide is judgemental and outdated.

There will not be a service at this time due to Covid. We will have a small ceremony at home once her sister Aidan can get here from Las Vegas. If you would like to send flowers please feel free to do so as Melissa loved them! Or if you would like to make a donation to any adult mental health organization in her name, she would love that too. If you would like to share a story or memory you have of Melissa, please leave it in the comments section of her obituary at Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. And lastly, Melissa liked to say, “be kind to one another, you never know how your words and actions affect people.”