William Daniel Mellish

It is with great sadness that the family of William Daniel Mellish (Dan) mourns his passing on June 7, 2016. Taken up to be with his Heavenly father, he leaves behind his wife of 23 years, Linda Dorsa Mellish, his four children, Renee Hedine, Darcy Ellisen, Kathryn Ecklund, and Richard Mellish, and two step children, Jennifer Underwood and Diana Green. Dan was grandfather to 12 grandchildren: Tanya, Tyler, Lindesy, Lucas, Karly, Brady, Ty, Kaden, Ryan, Dakota, Hannah and Zechariah.

Dan Mellish was born in Oceanside California on June 11, 1942. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1961-1964, and demonstrated the highest work ethic throughout his lifetime. While skilled at building and repairing almost anything, he worked as a fire fighter, a landscaper, and in property, hotel, and storage management, continuously working diligently until the time of his passing four days before his 74th birthday.

Dan became a Christian at the age of 9, and served Christ throughout his life in a variety of leadership roles, including being a deacon/elder in the various Churches he attended, providing skilled labor to repair and maintain church facilities, and sharing his greatest asset, his welcoming, friendly, and loving demeanor with all who enter.

As a father, Dan raised his 6 children with strong Christian values of love, care and serving others, service to the community, maintaining integrity and a strong work ethic, which is reflected in each one of his children’s perseverance in their life work. He lived as a walking testament to Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” It is with confidence his family can report that his inheritance in heaven is great, as he was a faithful, generous, and diligent servant.

In addition to raising six children, during his children’s childhood, Dan also served as a foster parent to several children, most notably to Darlene Warren with whom he continued in relationship with long beyond her childhood to the time of his passing.

Dan lived a life of hospitality. He was friendly with all whom he encountered, and demonstrated loving kindness to those who others might not receive. Whether wealthy or poor, important or marginalized, whole or broken, Dan’s ability to engage and include others was profound. He could converse with others about any topic, and enjoyed getting to know new people.

In addition to his love of others, Dan was an avid animal lover, loving his pet dogs and cats equally. He loved nature and was a talented photographer, seeing the beauty of God’s creation in man, animal and nature. Dan, as a Christian, a father, a grandfather, and a friend truly lived life confidently believing Ecclesiates 3: 11-13, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”

Dad, we love you, miss you, and look forward to being reunited with you in Christ’s kingdom.

Written by his daughter, Kathryn.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Calilfornia.