John Melendez

John P. Melendez, 78, passed away on March 21, 2025, in El Paso, Texas, with his daughter Rosie by his side. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with John's family at www.andersonbethany.com.
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 20205, at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, with an interment to follow at South Park Cemetery.
John was born on January 24, 1947, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Rufelio and Maria Ursula Melendez. He had several siblings. John met Manuelita and her son, Rick, and were soon married. Together, they had two daughters, Rosie and Maria Trujillo, and a son, John Melendez Jr. He also helped to raise his granddaughter, Amanda. John served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, stationed in Germany with the 101st Airborne Paratroopers. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant.
John was often described as a handsome, hard-working, and God-fearing man. He was devoted to his family and instilled values of right and wrong. He enjoyed simple pleasures like breakfast with his brother, buying lottery tickets, and drinking coffee with friends and family. He was a good father who taught his son valuable life lessons and instilled in him a strong work ethic and love for family. He was a protector for his daughters. He stepped up as a father figure to Rick and raised his granddaughter, Amanda. They were all his favorites.
John was a devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a hard worker who left a lasting impact on those around him. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. This obituary highlights his love for his family, strong work ethic, and dedication to serving his country.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Manuelita Melendez; his parents, Rufelio and Maria Ursula Melendez; siblings, Ramona, Lawrence Melendez Sr., and Corrine Oropesa; sons-in-law, Tony Trujillo, and Michael Montoya.
John is survived by his brothers Danny and his wife Rachel, Ralph, George and his wife, Martha; sisters, Olivia Cruz and her husband Armando, and Helen; his daughters, Rosie Melendez Trujillo and Maria Melendez Trujillo, her husband John and their son, John. Ralph Melendez Jr. and his wife, Crystal, stepson Rick, his wife, Alice, Amanda Hinojos, and husband, Isaiah. (Whom he raised as his own). Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces.
His children will carry his love, and his name will be remembered for years as his legacy grows. Where there was once loyalty between a father and his children, an unbreakable bond until the end, there is now a pair of shoes that must be filled so that John can rest peacefully in heaven, knowing his family is in the hands of the ones he spent almost every day with. They will miss his good morning texts and good night blessings. Where there were once two sets of footprints, now only one remains as he walked with his family. He now will carry each one as they carry his love with them. John left a legacy for his children that will remain forever.
Thank you to Anderson Bethany for their services and everyone who pulled together to lay him to rest.
Pallbearers will be his nephew, Lawrence Melendez Jr., grandson Juanito, Gilbert, DeAndre, Daniel, Timothy, Leland, and J.J. Melendez Jr. III.
The honorary pallbearers will be everybody that loved him and all his friends and family.