Paul Melendez

Paul Melendez Sr. Dad has brushed away the dust that formed his earth body. He has now resumed living in his soul body, and as such, shines like a brand new star in the heavens. Dad fought many battles in the time he chose to be on earth; many of those battles were to protect and to improve the lot of his family. But now he has set aside those struggles and has won the Real Victory. He has met the Savior, how glorious that must be. We are so proud to be the children of Paul and Maria Melendez, two strong, spirited people. Working together as husband and wife, they showed their children the importance of doing something in life rather than just letter life happen to you. Within this full life they shared were many, many occasions of fun, laughter and love. A prime example of this is the Christmas Eves at the Melendez home. Mom and Dad would put out a dinner that was enough to feed a small country. They gave gifts to everyone: children and adults alike. The family would stay up very late, laughing, playing music, dancing, telling jokes, eating and playing games. These games, of course, often included poker, Dad’s favorite card game. In fact, his poker skills were legendary. On those Christmas Eves, as well as at many other times during the year when the family gathered together, we all knew that, when you were under Mom and Dad’s roof, you were in the presence of life lived to the fullest. We all have our own special memories of Dad and will miss him very much. The grief will pass, but let us hope that Paul Melendez’s legacy -- a legacy of the importance of living a purposeful life -- lives on. May Dad’s light shine in our hearts as it shines in heaven. He loved a good golf game, and he was a W.W. II veteran under General Patton. Son: Paul Melendez Jr. and wife Gloria; daughters: Cecilia Puentez, Mary Kathryn Melendez, Cherry Melendez, Diane M. Lankford and husband Phillip; sister: Lillie Polanco; brother: Louis Melendez; sisters- in-law: Rose Lopez, Hope Romero, Chelo Del Rio; brothers- in-law: Chemo De Lopez, Gustavo Lopez and wife Micaella; grandchildren: Gilbert Puentez and wife Sandy, Gregory Puentez, Kathleen Jimenez and husband Tony, Andrew Romero and wife Terri, John (Timmy) Melendez and wife Terry, Paul (Baby Paul) Melendez and wife Melissa, Leslie Ann Ornelas and husband Gabe, (T-Bone) Steven Roy Melendez, Annie Herrera, Jason Melendez Villanueva, John Paul Villanueva and wife Ashley W. Gloor, Jaclyn Melendez Villanueva, Andrew Romero Jr.; great-grandchildren: Nicole, Heather, Laura, Kara, Jana, Adrianna, Joshua, Dominique, Miguel; great-great- grandchildren: Tres, Adyen. Services 10:00 a.m. Friday, Wilke- Clay-Fish with Burial at Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers are beloved grandsons.