Melvin Dean "Mel" Arrant

Melvin "Mel" Dean Arrant, 63, passed away the morning of March 27, 2024, at Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon. Mel is survived by his wife of 10 plus years, Joy Sears. He is also survived by his son, Brandon Arrant, Silverton; grandson, Colby; brother, Dan Arrant, Craig, Alaska; Doug (Linda) Arrant, Idleyld Park, Oregon; sisters, Valorie Buergel, Portland, Oregon; and Christine Manion, Silverton, Oregon. In addition to being survived by his best friend of over 30 years, Mike Jasso, multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is proceeded in death by his mom, Ruth, his dad, Leonard, and brothers, Don, and Loren.
Mel was born on April 13, 1960, in Roseburg at the Douglas County Hospital to Ruth (Aney) Arrant and Leonard Arrant. After his parents divorced when he was four, his mother moved to Silverton with his siblings. Mel attended school in Silverton, excelled in athletics and left before graduation to work for the local sawmill. Mel was married to Renee (Maiden name) from x to x and had a son, Brandon in 1983. Mel worked at various sawmills and woodworking companies in Oregon, Washington, California, and Utah over the years until 2000 when his mother passed away. After making a miraculous recovery from a major health issue that he was not expected to survive, he worked at various woodworking shops, making cabinets for many years. Mel and Joy met in early 2008 and married on November 2, 2013. Mel had been in ill health for multiple years and was forced to retire when he turned 62.
He and his wife liked to camp up at the Forest Service Kingfisher campground in Mount Hood National Forest. Mel grew up hunting and fishing anytime he wasn't working in his younger years. Mel loved to play softball. Mel loved to watch NASCAR, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and golf. When not camping, he and Joy enjoy hanging out at home with their cats: Taylor, Coal, Boots, Dali, and Dana.
Services will be held at City View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Salem, Oregon, on Friday, April 5th. Visitation will be from 9 am to noon with a graveside service at 1 pm. Flowers/plants can be sent to City View for the service or donations can be made in his memory to Salem Friends of Felines where he adopted his cats and helped support over the years.