Sports were always very important in Mel's life. He was a highly recognized northern California high school and Utah State College football quarterback. He played defensive back for the Oakland Raiders and excelled in both basketball and baseball. He enjoyed participating in sports as well as watching all kinds of sports on TV. After the pros he crewed on a sailboat in San Francisco, backpacked, coached football, and enjoyed photography. A backpacking trip to Denali National Park in 1970 sparked his interest in Alaska and he eagerly returned with his wife and young sons in 1977 to make Alaska his home. At first his family lived in Cooper Landing where he loved spending his off week from his job with ARCO fishing on the Russian River, canoeing on Kenai Lake, snow machining on the Resurrection Trail, and sea kayaking in Prince William Sound. After moving his family to Girdwood in 1985 he spent many happy hours skiing and watching his sons ski race at Alyeska. His great joy was watching his sons compete in their sports of skiing, biking, basketball, and baseball.
Mel was a wonderful son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He was strong willed and independent and would usually take the position of "the devil's advocate" in discussions, but his family and friends also knew his generous and caring side. Since his stroke three years ago he has not been able to live the active life he loved, so his family believes he is now at peace.
Mel is preceded in death by his father, Jim and mother Mary.
Obituary written by family and posted to legacy.com website.
Mel was a wonderful son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He was strong willed and independent and would usually take the position of "the devil's advocate" in discussions, but his family and friends also knew his generous and caring side. Since his stroke three years ago he has not been able to live the active life he loved, so his family believes he is now at peace.
Mel is preceded in death by his father, Jim and mother Mary.
Obituary written by family and posted to legacy.com website.
Sports were always very important in Mel's life. He was a highly recognized northern California high school and Utah State College football quarterback. He played defensive back for the Oakland Raiders and excelled in both basketball and baseball. He enjoyed participating in sports as well as watching all kinds of sports on TV. After the pros he crewed on a sailboat in San Francisco, backpacked, coached football, and enjoyed photography. A backpacking trip to Denali National Park in 1970 sparked his interest in Alaska and he eagerly returned with his wife and young sons in 1977 to make Alaska his home. At first his family lived in Cooper Landing where he loved spending his off week from his job with ARCO fishing on the Russian River, canoeing on Kenai Lake, snow machining on the Resurrection Trail, and sea kayaking in Prince William Sound. After moving his family to Girdwood in 1985 he spent many happy hours skiing and watching his sons ski race at Alyeska. His great joy was watching his sons compete in their sports of skiing, biking, basketball, and baseball.
Mel was a wonderful son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He was strong willed and independent and would usually take the position of "the devil's advocate" in discussions, but his family and friends also knew his generous and caring side. Since his stroke three years ago he has not been able to live the active life he loved, so his family believes he is now at peace.
Mel is preceded in death by his father, Jim and mother Mary.
Obituary written by family and posted to legacy.com website.
Mel was a wonderful son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He was strong willed and independent and would usually take the position of "the devil's advocate" in discussions, but his family and friends also knew his generous and caring side. Since his stroke three years ago he has not been able to live the active life he loved, so his family believes he is now at peace.
Mel is preceded in death by his father, Jim and mother Mary.
Obituary written by family and posted to legacy.com website.
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