We enjoyed being present with you, your family and members of the rest of our various related families at your 90th birthday celebration. It was a great time and a wonderful experience.  Even though you are my first cousin, it was hard to realize that because of the difference in our ages. You will be greatly missed and looking forward to seeing you and all the family in the great family reunion in heaven. Cousin Dave 

Mel was special. Of course, maybe all little sisters feel that way about their big brothers. I know I idolized both Mel and Vyrll and as a little kid I truly believed that they were the 'most handsomest, smartest,  strongest tough guys around.'  But Mel and I l, him being a little closer to my age,  shared a special bond. His face fills so many of my early childhood memories. I will miss him every day.

Melvin and his wife were favorite people.  His sense of humor was great. I enjoyed taking communion to them.
When I called each week to tell him what was for dinner at Immanuel Lutheran he always had a comment abou t meals but he would  he would see .  He brought his daughter and granddaughters
 and they all enjoyed the dinners.  The girls always danced in to the church ready to eat.
Missed them all when they moved.    

I loved Mel because he dearly loved my friends Lynn and Lori and their mother Marilyn. 

What memories.  We were blessed to meet the Byroads when they became our landlords in 2003.  We lived in both houses on their property outside Woodburn.  Mel's favorite color was orange so I made him his own personal quilt out of orange.  We loved their flowers, trees and bushes.  They shared their blessings of vegetables and fruit with neighbors, friends, the Food Bank, etc.  Mel and I went to breakfast together a few times after Marilynn passed.  He missed her a lot.  They both had great hearts and we are sure they will be fondly remembered by many.

We were lucky to live in the farm house for 7 years no other landlord would accept our pets. I remember walking in the house admiring his  skills The house  was and is beautiful..
Mel and Marilyn were wonderful people and it was a joy to see them at the farm Wonderful memories 

As Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran  Church 2016-2018, I had the great privilege  of visiting regularly with Mel both at his residence and at our community meal.  It was always a great pleasure to hang out with him. He had quite the life, and many great stories to go with it.  To my knowledge he was the only parishioner I ever had who had driven a train engine.  I was happy for him that he could relocate closer to his family, but I sure missed our visits!

Sending my condolences - Mel was such a calm person.  I remember (as a friend of Lynn's) he and Marilyn smoking their pipes at the end of the workday, his work on remodeling the house in San Mateo, and our road trip to Oregon in the trailer!  Every night we would have to stand around while Mel "leveled the trailer" so we could eat and sleep in it.  He was always patient and kind.

OBITUARY

Melvin Ray Byroads

August 6, 1926 – March 4, 2020

Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park and Mortuary

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