1930-2021
Merle Ray Feleay, 91, was the youngest of Ray and Bessie Feleay’s children, born August 17, 1930, in Glendale, CA. He passed peacefully on to glory on October 29 from his Porterville home at Sierra Hills with beloved wife Jodee at his side.
Merle developed a strong work ethic while very young after losing his father at age 11, and held jobs ranging from newspaper routes to bus routes and bakery to drugstore work. In 1948, he graduated from Visalia High School and went on to COS, Fresno State, and UC Irvine to become a medical doctor in 1955. From that time to now, he was fondly addressed as “Doc.” As a general practitioner and surgeon, his family and many loyal patients in Ivanhoe and Porterville can attest that medicine was his calling. Merle retired from Porterville Developmental Center in 1993.
In addition to medicine, Merle loved to spend time with family at Shaver Lake, use cutting-edge technology, study history, play card games, and memorize phone numbers. And most importantly, he clung to the promise of Psalm 23:6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Merle is survived by wife Jodee, children and their spouses: Steven and Joan Feleay, Claudia and Stephen Barter, Merleen and Daymon Johnson, and Kristy Banks; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family is exceedingly grateful for Merle’s compassionate caregivers over the past several years.
A graveside service is scheduled at Visalia Cemetery, Friday, November 12, at 1:30pm with reception following.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the wonderful service provided by the staff at American Care-Fran Peterson Hospice Foundation, 5323 W. Hillsdale Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291, (559) 409-2665. Tributes and condolences can be made at www.millerchapel.com.
A graveside for Merle will be held Friday, November 12, 2021 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Visalia Public Cemetery District, 1300 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Feleay family.
