Lawrence Clark Melcher

Lawrence Clark Melcher (Skip) was born on June 7, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to Larry J. and Orva Lorraine Clark Melcher. His parents moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1946 where his father started a business and where he has lived ever since. He was a graduate of Mesa High in 1954, and attended Arizona State College. He served in the United States Air Force and upon his return from duty, he enrolled at the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles from which he graduated in 1960. He returned home to join his parents in their company, Melcher Mortuaries. Skip was an enthusiastic member of the Mesa Southside Sheriffs Posse for many years and greatly enjoyed the many activities and rides around his beloved Arizona with the group. He was also a Mason. He was appointed by Governor Jane Hull to a seat on the State Funeral Directors Board where he was instrumental in instituting many reforms to the Board and its operation which were of significant benefit to consumers and which encouraged more ethical conduct within the industry in Arizona. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the first College of Mortuary Science in Arizona at Mesa Community College. He and his wife Mary (nee: Lenihan) were the parents of three sons, Mark, William, and Vincent and he was the proud and loving grandfather of Cody, Adam, and Lauren Melcher of Tucson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved little sister, Judy. As dear to Skip as if they were his own daughters, were his daughters-in-law, Cheryl (Rincon) Melcher, of Mesa, and Deborah (Illig) Melcher, of Tucson. He is also survived by his nieces, Lisa and Traci Fisher of Oklahoma. Skip was a loving husband and father, and a loyal and true friend who will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched with his good humor and genuine kindness. He was an avid boater who enjoyed nothing more than long summers in California with his grandchildren and family aboard his beloved yacht, Felina, cruising the coastal waters there. The Melcher family is deeply grateful to the professional staff of Banner Baywood Medical Center's ICU for their skilled and compassionate care during Skip's final illness. The doctors, nurses, assistants, therapists, and even housekeeping staff fulfilled their professional duties efficiently while never losing sight of the intensely human needs of patient and family. Their kindness will never be forgotten. Our deepest thanks also to Dr. Jon Rubach, Skips' primary care physician and dear friend whose support and understanding were such a comfort. As a lover of the beautiful Arizona desert, he was a longtime supporter of the Desert Botanical Garden and memorials to that organization will be greatly appreciated. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008-3490. A visitation for Skip will be held Sunday March 2, 2008 at Melchers Mission Chapel from 4pm to 8pm with services to follow Monday Morning, 11am at Melchers Mission Chapel.