Melvin LeRoy Bishop

Melvin LeRoy Bishop was born in DeMoines, Iowa on January 1, 1951. He moved to the Mira Loma area as a child and spent the rest of his life there. At the age of 14, he got a special license so that he could ride his 50cc motorcycle, delivering newspapers to help support his family when his Father was short on work. He met Wanda Jacobs around this time and they were married on April 3rd, 1971. Their first daughter, Dawn (Bogens) was born December 3rd, 1970. Their second daughter, Kameron (Shewmaker) was born August 31st, 1974. Although they parted ways, Melvin and Wanda remained friends through the years.

Melvin served in the Army National Guard from 1971-1978, where he became a great mechanic. He then went on to work for Vern Anthony Gunite, Inc for over 30 years. In recent years, he was a delivery driver for various grocery stores, including Stater Bros.

He had a love of old cars and motorcycles, he built 3 motorcycles from scratch and had recently restored a 55 Chevy Bel Air and was working on a 57 Chevy Bel Air. He took great pride in his motorcycles and cars.

Melvin collected keys from the time he was a child, he had a knack for purchasing antique or broken locks and restoring them to like new condition. In recent years he got certified as a locksmith.

Melvin’s greatest love were his grandchildren, Collin Hammond, Jonathan Bogens, Tyler Bogens and Anabelle Bishop. Melvin helped to raise his granddaughter, Anabelle, as if she were his own. He took great pride in attending Grandparents Day at Jonathan and Tyler’s school, and he shared many a joke and story with Collin and took Collin to his first NASCAR race.

Melvin was preceded in Death by his Parents: Chester and Gertrude.

Melvin is survived by his Daughters: Dawn (Blair Bogens), Kameron (Paul Shewmaker), Grandchildren: Collin, Jonathan, Tyler and Anabelle. Brothers: David (Sue Bishop), Michael and Richard.