Meliton Bautista Zabala

Meliton Bautista Zabala, 63, of San Diego, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017. Born October 23, 1953 in Dagupan City, Philippines, he was the son of Emidgio and Pelucia (Bautista) Zabala. Mel, as he was commonly referred as, graduated from Dagupan City National High School in 1971. He graduated from National University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in 1986. He proudly served in the US Navy from 1973-1978 based in Europe as well as in Philadelphia. He later moved to San Diego in 1979 and continued to work as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense until he retired in April 2016. Mel had a corny sense of humor, an amazing memory for all details, and loved to keep up with the news (his favorite stations were FOX News & CNN). But, most of all, Mel loved to talk to people and be with his family. He was a beloved member of the San Diego Christian Fellowship and enjoyed participating in many events with his church family. He was a well-known resident of the Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista prior to his hospitalization. It was often very difficult to find Mel there as he was always visiting his many friends. Mel will be happy now to be walking with Jesus in heaven eating a Double Double from In-N-Out or a rack of beef ribs from Phil’s BBQ. Mel is survived by his children Melissa Zabala of San Diego; Kristine Zabala (husband Andy Cheng) of Rockville, MD; Jonathan Zabala (wife Jenny Dang) of Cypress, CA; Jennifer Salinas (husband Danny Salinas) of Elmhurst, NY; and Jason Zabala of San Diego; his grandson, Aiden Cheng. Dear brother of Dina Zabala, Illuminada Gramonte, Armando Zabala, Marilyn Billosillo, Proceso Zabala, Emily Greiner and the late Emidgio Zabala Jr., Reuben Zabala & Myrlito Zabala. Dear uncle to many nieces and nephews. Viewing to be held at El Camino Memorial- Sorrento Valley on Thursday, October 26 from 4:00-8:00pm. Chapel service to be held at El Camino Memorial on Friday, October 27 from 12:00-1:00pm. Graveside Service with Military Honors will promptly follow at 2:00pm at Miramar National Cemetery. Family will greet friends and relatives after the graveside service - details will be provided at a later time. Floral arrangements in remembrance of Meliton may be sent to El Camino Memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be also made to a dear friend of Mel’s son Jason, Tara Carson. Miss Carson is a fellow San Diegan who was shot and injured at the Route 91 Country Festival in Las Vegas where Jason was also in attendance. The Zabala Family would love to send their support to Tara as she recovers from her injury. https://www.gofundme.com/swaflight-attendant-shooting-victim