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- San Luis Obispo County Tribune
November 24, 2009
On Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, John M. Mello passed away peacefully after 96 years of a full and highly productive life.
Born in 1913 to Joseph and Mary Mello near what is now Tank Farm Road in San Luis Obispo, John was raised at the Mello family ranch in Los Osos Valley. Having an aptitude for science, John left the ranch to get a bachelor''s degree in chemistry at San Jose State. He then went to Moscow, Idaho, to pursue his master''s degree in education at the University of Idaho.
It was in Idaho that he met the love of his life, Doris Anita Erley. It was indeed ''love at first sight'' for both of them. This last June, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. John''s first teaching job was in Athol, Idaho, then in 1937, they moved to Yreka, Calif. After that he became principal at Tulelake High School in California. His teaching career was interrupted by World War II when he served stateside with the U.S. Navy. In 1946, John and Doris moved their family to Taft, Calif., where John taught chemistry and headed the Science Department at Taft Union High School for 30 years. He was a gifted teacher and inspired many students to pursue an education in science. Throughout his teaching career John furthered his own education and received National Science Foundation scholarships to attend summer school sessions at U.C. Berkeley, Washington State, Stanford, and University of Idaho and Gonzaga University. When he wasn''t teaching, he loved to golf, fish and visit with family and friends. All of these passions he shared with his wife, Doris. For many years they had a cabin on beautiful Coeur d''Alene Lake, Idaho, which was a special place for family visits. In later years, they rented a cabin at Lake Tahoe, where they hosted many summertime family reunions. Up until suffering a stroke in 2007, John was an active man often seen walking around Daisy Hill Mobile Home Park. Amazingly, he was 93 when he had his last golf game! Although he was slowed down physically by his stroke, his mind remained sharp. He was known for his tremendous sense of humor, which he used to cheer up his family during the last days of his life.
John is survived by his wife, Doris Anita; daughters Sunny Judy Mello and Barbara Jean (Larry Vincent) Jones; son, John Joseph (Marsha) Mello; grandchildren Hilary (Scott) Boudreaux, Chris (Anna) Gaines, Jennifer Biagioni and Stephanie (Garry) Odom; great-grandchildren Henry and Isabelle Boudreaux, William Gaines, Amanda, Mark, Joshua, Nicole, Alison and Juliana Biagioni, and EmmaLee and Niall Stanley; great-great grandson, Morrison Espinoza; sister, Edith McCoy; many loving nieces and nephews; and his adoring dog, Meg.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Mello; siblings Mary Mello, George Mello, Joseph Mello, Isabelle Majewski, Louie Mello, Margaret Farias and Lorraine Cabral.
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1913 - 2009 (96 years)
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