Jose Miguel Melendez Jr.

A loving and joyful spirit, Miguel left this world on July 30, 2026, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him.

Throughout his life, Miguel harnessed his naturally caring and connective spirit by pursuing a variety of interests and passions. As a child, Miguel's parents, Karen and Jose, remembered fondly how much he enjoyed hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, floating on the New River, camping, and taking family vacations to places like Emerald Aisle and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. As a teen, he was passionate about recycling, learning about the weather, and played football, soccer and ran cross country. Miguel grew up in Christiansburg, VA, the middle child of two siblings, Kristi and Kyle.

Miguel graduated from Christiansburg High School in Virginia in 2002 and continued his education at the United States Coast Guard Academy where he graduated in 2006. During his five years of active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard Miguel completed tours of duty as an officer on the USCGC Thetis in Key West, FL, and a commanding officer of the USCGC Kingfisher in Mayport, FL, and one year of management in Norfolk, VA.

Miguel then studied at the Theological College in Washington, D.C. from 2011 to 2017 where he graduated with a degree in Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity. After being ordained as a priest on June 3, 2017, he served at the parishes of Blessed Sacrament in Harrisonburg, VA, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newport News, VA.

As a Catholic priest he spread messages of love, joy, connection and service. Miguel loved celebrating momentous occasions like weddings and baptisms, while also connecting with people on a personal level through life's hardships. Two of his favorite scriptures include John 10 and John 3:16. Miguel was formally released from the Diocese of Richmond by Pope Francis before he embarked on the next chapter of his life on the west coast.

After moving to Oregon in 2020, Miguel found deep inspiration from Ken Forkish, baker, business owner, and author of “Flour, Salt, Water, Yeast,” and then he delved deep into the world of artisan sourdough bread. That year he started his own bakery business, Fat Dutch Bread, the name of which was an homage to his black lab, Fatima, and the dutch oven, the vessel his bread was baked in.

Miguel was passionate about bread baking, often caught making “small talk” with friends and family members about baker’s percentages, gluten development, and how to get the perfect crispy crust on a fresh baked loaf.

Miguel loved working at the farmers markets because it allowed him to see his customers face to face, a connection he cherished just as much as the bread itself.

During this era of his life he met Samantha Pacheco, the love of his life, whom he married in March 2023. Together they made many plans for building a food forest, travelling the country's National Parks, and hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Following his professional bread baking tenure, Miguel was employed with the Oregon Department of Corrections in 2022 where he served as Chaplain and Chaplain Supervisor. This work brought him back into the ministry realm, while also allowing him to connect with people of all faiths and beliefs within the state corrections system. Miguel was often busy coordinating special religious services, building relationships with coworkers, and managing various duties his position required including traveling throughout the state of Oregon. While working full-time, Miguel also earned his MBA from Willamette University in 2025.

In March 2024, Miguel and Samantha welcomed first daughter Isabelle Sylvia to the family, followed by their second daughter Fiona Marie in December 2025. Miguel “Dadoo” was the best father. Always playful and engaging, making up games and songs, reading stories, and encouraging Isabelle’s development.

Miguel’s family and friends often recognized him as a goofy, generous, joyful, loving, persistent, creative and community-oriented person. Friends often said whether you knew him for a short time or for decades he was a loyal and committed friend. He always provided for others through acts of service and was constantly reminding his people how much they meant to him by giving tokens of love from cards to flowers to teddy bears.

Outside of work Miguel could often be found digging in the vegetable garden, planning backyard projects, grilling on the barbecue, watching movies, eating sweet treats, and above all spending time with his family and friends. He regularly enjoyed making family trips to North Carolina beaches and the coast in Oregon, and just this year he was able to enjoy the ocean on both the east and west coast within one month which brought him so much happiness. He loved goofing around and playing with his daughters, nieces and nephews, and playdate friends, and was often plotting something on the Melendez family text thread with his siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.

Miguel now joins many loved ones that have gone before him, while many family and friends carry on his love, legacy, and generosity in this world. Miguel adored and cherished when his community of people gathered together and his bright spirit will continue to be with us all.

Services to celebrate Miguel’s life are:

Monday, August 3

5 - 7 pm Visitation

5:30 - 6pm Rosary

Golden Funeral Home

605 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97301

7 - 9 pm Wake

Checkpoint 221

1233 Riverbend Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304

Tuesday, August 4

11 am Funeral

Queen of Peace Catholic Church

4227 Lone Oak Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302

Friday, August 21

11 am

A mass and inurnment service followed by a reception.

Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church

315 Harris Grove Ln, Yorktown, VA 23692