Melvin Eugene Byrum

November 21, 1940 ~ June 27, 2017

76 years old from Morgan Hill, CA. Mel passed away peacefully of natural causes from pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Philadelphia, Tennessee to Horace Clinton Byrum and Johnnie Ruth Williams. His family moved to Richmond, Indiana where he graduated at Richmond High in 1960 and met the love of his life, Gail Patricia Winslow. Soon after graduation, Mel and Gail were married and Mel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in New Foundland--where the newlyweds only saw each other during his leave.

After a stint in the frigid Northeast, Gail joined Mel when he transferred to Columbus, Mississippi. They bought their first single-wide mobile home and had two of their children at the AFB Hospital: Deana De Anne (1962) and Douglas Eugene (1963). In 1964, they lost twin daughters (Darla Sue and Diana Lynn) which were premature.

In 1965, Mel transferred to Travis AFB in California, where they lived in Vacaville. They had their 3rd and last child, Clinton Jefferson, in 1969. Mel retired from the Air Force soon after and had odd jobs here and there until they decided to move south to San Jose, CA, where his brother-in-law, Hoyett Conley, got him a job at UTC (United Technology Center,) off Metcalf Rd, in South San Jose.

After a good stretch at UTC and purchasing their own home in San Jose, Mel started his HVAC schooling and was hired on at Hewlett Packard in Cupertino. Mel brought home his schoolwork at night with an old projector on the living room wall, with classes through San Jose City College. He soon became certified and steadily moved up at HP. His career spanned nearly 30 years. Mel was a mentor to many employees through apprenticeship programs and they can attest to his strong leadership and honest character as a boss.

In 1980, they moved to Morgan Hill with three acres, a barn, and a lot of critters. Dad finally had his “farm” to live out his childhood memories of growing up on his own Papaw’s farm in Tennessee. They lived there for 20 years and made many lasting family memories with the big pool, hosting many celebrations and parties (teaching grandbabies to swim,) as well as the “tree swing” that rocked many a grandchildren to sleep in the warm summer breeze. And let’s not forget the good ole’ tractor rides on Papaw’s lap!

Mel retired just before his 60th birthday. He and Gail purchased an RV that they traveled across the country in, visiting many family members, friends, and wonderful places.

They moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona for about a decade, where the “snowbirds” gather, and Mel bought his dream car; his 1946 Ford Coupe. That car was his pride and joy and they would show it off at car shows and met many new friends and car enthusiasts through car clubs. Mel’s nine grandchildren (Erik, Haley, Jeff, Austin, Ashley, Angela, Julia, Jessica, and Christian,) loved to “cruise” with Papaw in his hotrod!

Mel moved back to NorCal in 2013 and they eventually settled back in Morgan Hill—full circle.

To know Mel, you’ve probably had him pull a coin out of your ear, laughed real hard after hearing one of his insanely long and embellished jokes or stories that were well worth waiting for the punchline, or had the opportunity to see him create a beautiful sketch on a blank piece of paper, and witness the sheer competitiveness of his personality. He could shuffle a mean deck of cards and enjoyed many long nights playing poker with his friends. He was no ordinary man, this is no ordinary obituary.

As Honey, Daddy, Papaw, or just Mel, he will forever be missed and we will all continue to hold him in our hearts as he soars amongst the eagles above.

Mel is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gail (Morgan Hill, CA,) daughter and son-in-law, Deana and Ken Skelton and their three children (Manteca, CA,) son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Kim Byrum and their three children (Los Banos, CA,) other son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Sheri Byrum and their three children (Morgan Hill, CA,) his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Estill Eversole their two children (Florida,) and other sister, Freda Stevens and her children (Florida,) and many cousins in Tennessee as well as the Winslow and Hart relatives in California.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 7th, at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose (300 Curtner Ave,) at 2:00 PM. A viewing will begin at 9:00 AM. Cards can be sent to Gail Byrum at 275 Burnette Ave, Sp 14, Morgan Hill CA 95037.