Melvin Ray Byroads

Melvin Ray Byroads passed peacefully from his life on earth to his life in Heaven on March 4, 2020, at 3:23am at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a short decline in his health. He was sharp as a tack and witty until he passed peacefully in his sleep. He was comforted and surrounded by family and friends to the very end. He was 93 years old.

Mel was born in Escalon, California, on August 6, 1926, raised in Stockton, California. When he was 13, his parents, Harold and Vera moved he and his older brother, Vyrll and his “little” sister, Adrienne, to Thermal and later Indio, California, where he graduated from Coachella Valley Union High School. One of his favorite childhood memories was camping in Yosemite!

Mel joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 as an Electrician’s Mate. He served his country aboard the USS Cleveland, light cruiser, and Jack C. Robinson, destroyer escort. He was honorably discharged as Electrician’s Mate 3/c in 1946. He served in the inactive reserve until 1951.

Mel moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he attended the College of San Mateo, before marrying Carolee. He and Lee moved to Los Angeles for two years to complete his college education, receiving his degree in Industrial Mechanical Engineering. He returned to the SF Bay Area to work for a corporation involved with manufacturing for the NASA Apollo Space Program. A machinist, manufacturing engineer, quality control manager and filbert farmer were some of his occupations over the years. He and Lee raised their family in San Mateo until their divorce in 1971.

Mel married Marilynn in 1975 and moved to Woodburn, Oregon in 1980. They purchased a 20-acre farm, planted ten acres of filberts, and refurbished three houses. Mel had a great love of antiques, gardening, photography, classical music, construction (he was always building something!), engineering, football, classic autos and TRAINS! After Marilynn passed away in 2012, Mel kept “his hands in the land” until September of 2018, at which time he “returned to Los Angeles for the second time,” as he used to say! Mel enjoyed entertaining many family and friends while living the good life at Kingsley Manor Retirement Community.

Mel is remembered for his vast knowledge, kindness, quick witt, awesome stories, being a hard worker and living a genuine Christian lifestyle.

Mel is survived by his sister Adrienne, sister-in-law, Mary Jane, five children: Steve, Jeff, Denise, Lynn and Lori (and spouses); seven grand-children (and spouses); nine great-grand-children.

Mel will be buried next to his wife, Marilynn, in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham, Oregon. The burial is scheduled for March 31, 2020, at 2pm. Due to the COIV-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. If you would like to be notified of either the Oregon or California dates, please contact; [email protected] or [email protected]