Michael Melendez Obituary

Ginger, Melissa, Allison, Joey, & Aden
Death is so vey painful for those left behind, and words seem so inadequate. Take comfort in knowing Mike is at peace, and you will see him again one day. What a blessing Mike has been to so many people. Your Husband, Father, and Gampa impacted the lives of all around him with his wonderful sense of humor and zest for life. We all had the privilege and honor of knowing a delightful person. We had so much fun the last time ya'll came over and in years past. Mike was not just a relative but our friend. Please know we share your sorrow and will miss him. Our love to all of you. You are in our prayers.

Melissa:
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. We always admired how close you are to your family. We know he will truly be missed. You and your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,
Gary & Heidi Freeland

Dear Ginger & Family, I know you all are sad and will miss Michael very much. There's hope in knowing that we will see him again. Please know that all of us at CGI that knew him and worked with him will miss him very much. Mike Baldwin sends his condolences, as well. Please take care of youself and call if there's anything you need from us. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. With much love.

I did not know Michael, but you and your family are in my prayers. I went to BEHS with Louie. Rita Nolen Halterman

Mrs. Ginger, Joey, Allison, and Melissa,

Mindy and I are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers through these tough times. Mike was a good friend and co-worker for many years to both of us. He was a positive influence in our lives and we'll never forget him. We admired and respected him tremendously, and hope that we'll be able to live our lives in the same way he led his. We are truly blessed that he was a part of our lives. His positive impact on our lives will continue forever as a part of his great legacy.

Always your true friends; please call on us at any time.

Jason and Mindy McLemore

Melissa & family
I am sorry to hear of your lost. Our prayers will be with ya'll.

Robert,
Very sorry to hear about Michael. My last memory of Michael was as a bit kid.

Be well,
Red

TO MS MELENDEZ IS SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MR MELENDEZ WAS A VERY SWEET PERSON AND HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT CLINIC

Melendez family,

I am very sad to hear about Michael's passing. Although I had not seen him in many years since living on Maple Street, I always remember him as a big, jovial guy.

My condolences go out to all the family. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to meet Mike's family, except for Robert.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Most sincerely,

Tony Galasso

Louie, I'm very sorry to hear about your brother. I dont believe i ever met him, but reading his guest book helps me realize how great a person he was and how important he was to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the whole family during this tragic time. Hope you're doing well, Louie.

Ginger and family,
Sheryl and I wish to offer our deepest sympathy and love for you and your family. Yes of course we are sad, but Mike is so happy now as he always was. What fun we use to have. Mike had a big heart and wonderful attitude. Wish I could have run in to him more this last years, but like everyone of our long time friends in Charelston , we think of them often. God Bless you all

Allison, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I know how much he meant to you and your family and he will missed. My thoughts are with you and your family. One can not describe the feeling of having cancer until one has experienced it. I just found out 2 weeks ago that I have breast cancer and yesterday underwent surgery to have the area removed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are all thinking about you and are hear for you.

Everything happened so quickly, which has truly made me realize, time is all we have to count on. Once our time is up, it's up. There's no getting it back. I'll always remember him as the best Uncle I'll ever have. All the way from taking me camping on the beach, to driving downtown to collect rocks, that I simply wouldn't let him throw away, Which are still in the yard. I'll miss him very much, but it's better knowing he isn't in pain anymore, he's in a happy place. My heart is with you, Aunt Ginger, Melissa, Joey and Allison. I'm only a call away if you ever need anything.

Ashley & Joey

Melissa, Joey & Ali,
You all take good care of your mom, she'll need you now more than ever. You're dad loved you all with everything in him. Keep his memory alive in your hearts and lives. He will be truley missed. Our deepest sympathy. Theresa & Daniel

Ginger, Melissa, Joey, Allison and Aden there are no words to express my shock and grief over Mike's death. The fact that I let our friendship lax for so long will haunt me. I love you all so much. we were like family and time seemed to always get in the way. I loved Mike. He was a dear dear friend and Tony and I will always remember Mike with love in our hearts. Our prayers will be with you all and your family. I am so ashamed and regretful that I haven't seen or spoken with any of you in such a long time. And time is really all we have. Please know that I am here for any of you when you are ready. If there is anything at all you all need I'm just around the corner. With genuine love, grief and complete empathy in my heart I will close this message with this; Mike Melendez was one of the truest friends I have ever known and mine will hardly be the only heart that aches for him for years to come.

We have lost a true freind and brother. My heart is full of wonderful memories of Mike and there will never be another like him. My deepest sympathy to my freind Ginger. Farewell Mike. Love Theresa & Daniel

Ginger and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Mike. He was truly a wonderful man. I'll never forget our trip to Atlanta with the young people from the Chruch. Gee, that seems like 100 years ago. I can still see Mike's face. What a fun guy he was. Please know that we love you..!

Mrs Ginger, Melissa, Joey, Ali, and Aden~ I cannot imagine how you all feel, but my thoughts and prayers will stay with all of you. Anyone who knew him knows what a wonderful husband, father, GamPa:), and friend Mr Mike was-I am so so sorry you have lost such a wonderful man. I feel privileged to have known him so long.

Ginger, Melissa, Joey, and Allison,
Our prayers are with each one of you. Mike was, indeed, a very special persona and we know you will miss him very much. Will be in touch. With much love,
Jimmie and Beth Leaphart

I don't know any of you, but this obit showed so much love for Mr. Melendez that it brought tears to my eyes. God bless each of you as you deal with your personal loss.

Ginger & kids......I am so sorry about Michael. He was a wonderful man and loved by all who knew him. He always had a smile on his face and a cheery hello when I would see him in the back yard. We all will miss him!!!

I still can't believe it. Seeing it in black and white just drives it home. I'm so, so sorry. My heart breaks for you all.

You know, Uncle Mike never was much of a "follower" of the status quo. Of course, he also didn't make waves and liked to go with the flow. But given the chance, he forged his own path and didn't really worry what anyone else thought, said, or did, because it didn't matter--it was all about the living of life. The love, the fun, the relationships. We just talked about this...and it's so true.

So when I read the obituary you composed, I saw little bits and pieces in the wordings and phrases that I could pick every single part of where Aunt Ginger put something, where Melissa's words were, Allison's, Joey's thoughts, and I could see something. Not only could I see that you did this TOGETHER, but there's more. What you may not have realized at the time, I'd like to say now, and I hope you'll take another look, reflect a moment, and carry this with you.

The way he lived and thought--seemingly carefree, "who cares what they think?", never afraid to show love, and standing up in the face of adversity looking a-okay (saving the "real stuff" for just you all)--it's rubbed off on all of you and I see that. You're carrying those qualities, as well as many other characteristics and memories, with you...out into the world. Do you see it? It's even in the wording of this little obituary tribute you wrote--that ALL of you wrote. Those same qualities are reflected in your very thoughts! You wrote an original "toast" to this man, laced with a few "seemingly carefree" ideas, a lot of "who cares what they think?" (it's very original and YOU had the guts to do it!), consumed with the "love" (even though I know what's happening 'at home' between you, sharing and saving those special things only for each other and those dear, just as he did with you), and in a way that seems to "stand in the face of adversity" saying, "See who you are? 'YOU ROCK'!" (and I know who said that one, too!). I hope you'll keep these feelings close to your hearts and also keep sharing them with the world--just the way he did. So by having known him, having been in his heart and having him in yours, YOU ALL come through this with that same quality: YOU ROCK, TOO!

I love you all so very much. Aunt Ginger, you know what's between us (after all, I was the 1st to see the ring!)--so you remember I am here. Melissa, my baby girl, sister, and cousin all in one--I know how you're dealing and you know when you need or want to talk, Miss Priss is always welcome in my life. Allison, my sweet little thing who spent all those years on my hip--we can "hang" anytime, and you know this to be true! Joey, I couldn't think of a better guy to carry on his name than you. Even though you'll always be "my bwillo" (and "you" know what I mean!), I'm so proud of the man you stand up to be for those girls. But you also know I'm a phone call away (and we BOTH know that). And Aden--God's special blessing to you all...how happy a GamPa you made him. I wouldn't be surprised if you became a carpenter or something!

But to you all--MY FAMILY--I love you so, grieve with you more than you know, and share in the memories we all have. But more than that...I'm better for having known him, too. I love you and God loves you, too. So let God comfort you in a way nobody else can.

Oh, and I still think he walked through the gates and said, "Hey Ms. Smith!" Keep smiling at the world. He always did.