Melvin Newell Sessions

1934 - 2024

Melvin Newell Sessions
March 27, 1934 - October 7, 2024
Melvin Newell Sessions, 90, of Ontario, OR passed peacefully in his sleep on October 7, 2024 after spending his final days with his son and daughter. Melvin, affectionately known by many as Smiley and Mel, was born on March 27, 1934 in Chinook, MT to Josephine Stopyra and Versal Sessions. He moved around between Oregon and Montana during his early years before settling in Adrian, OR at age 10.
He attended the Owyhee School House and then Adrian High School after it consolidated in 1948. While in school he lived and worked on his father's ranch 11 miles outside of town. In high school he participated in track and field for his freshman and sophomore year and he was on the football team for all four years.
In 1952 at the age of 18, while in his senior year of high school, he volunteered to join the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Sasebo, Japan where he served during the Korean Conflict on the U.S.S Aludra, a refrigerator supply ship, as a radio operator. Later in his service he was stationed on Whidbey Island as a teletype operator. While on Whidbey, he would often drive back home to Adrian and it was during one of these visits when he met his wife, Bobby Jo. He loved his time in the Navy and spoke fondly of all the places he was able to visit, the experiences he had, and the friends he made. He proudly wore his U.S.S Aludra hat and always enjoyed when it struck up a conversation.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1956 he worked various jobs before starting as an over-the-road truck driver for Ore-Ida in 1960. He received his GED in 1967 at the age of 33 and worked his way up through Ore-Ida Trucking which eventually became N.A.C.A. Trucking where he was Vice President of Operations at the time of his retirement in 1997. In 2021, he was awarded his High School Diploma from Adrian High School and honored for his service to our country. This career provided him with a lifelong party trick of always knowing the exact mileage between any cities in the country and the best route to take.
He married Roberta "Bobby" Jo Sessions on January 20, 1962. They had two children, Robert "Brad" Sessions and Stefanie Ritter. They lived as a family in Fruitland, ID. Both of their children went on to have their own families, giving them seven grandchildren. Bobby and Smiley shared 50 happy years of marriage before her death in 2012.
After Bobby passed, Smiley took to the open road in his motor home to explore the country before settling in Congress, AZ. While living in Arizona, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle in the mountains, going on daily bicycle rides around the neighborhood, spending time with his close knit group of friends, and visiting with his kids and grandkids.
He enjoyed his health and independence in Arizona well into his 80s before moving back to Oregon in November of 2023 after a few short illnesses. He always viewed Oregon and Idaho as his home.
He is preceded in death by his wife Roberta; mother, Josephine; father, Versal and is survived by his children, Robert (Elizabeth) Sessions and Stefanie Ritter; grandchildren, Robert Uehlin, Samantha Uehlin, Robert Sessions Jr., Deanna Sessions, Nikita (Benjamin) Pendragon, Michael Sessions, Ella Ritter; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and siblings.
Toward the end of his life, Melvin had joked that he only wanted to make it to 85 but his family and friends are so happy to have had five and a half bonus years to spend with him. In March, family and friends traveled from all over the country to Idaho to celebrate his 90th birthday. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed. His family and friends will always remember his easygoing personality, incredible memory, vivid stories, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit.