Melvin Leroy Dreger

Do not grieve for me

I am not dead

I do not sleep

I am the diamonds glittering on the water

I am the beauty of a flower

I am the sunlight on a ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

I am the smile on your face

Do not grieve for me or cry

I am not dead, I did not die

I am in your heart and my spirit stays

In the soul of all whose lives I have

Touched and my new address is with

The Lord in Heaven.

Melvin Dreger, age 87 was born June 6th, 1938, in Saskatchewan, Canada to Lou and Olga Dreger. He left to be with the Lord on December 9th, 2025.

Mel was a registered nurse receiving his license in 1972, he worked hard getting his degree in teaching and became a nursing educator in 1989. In 1998, Mel joined Toastmasters International as an advanced public speaker. In 2001, Mel started his modeling career in art modeling with California Art Institute, he then got into Improvisation Theatre with Josh Overton. His acting career took off and in January 2002, he obtained his first part in the movie, The Enforcers as a bank manager. His next role was in Mighty Times, The Rosa Parks Saga as a police man. During all this, he was the public service announcer for Adelphia Television. By February, Mel's next part was in The Great John Rexx as a Golf Tournament Director. In April, he was an Investment Banker in the movie Couples. The month of June 2002 really had Mel moving as he had parts in three different movies: The Last Cowboy (cowboy), The Lonesome Tale of Buckaroo Bubbles (undertaker) and Sullivan's flood where he co-starred with a feature roll as a gangster, he then dipped his hand in print modeling where he appeared in magazines, catalogs, brochures and billboards for Legends Inc. Mel never let the moss grow under his feet with his first roll as a Doctor in Presidio Med, then September found Mel swing dancing in the tv show American Dream which was ironic as he was living the American Dream.

In October 2002, Mel played a doctor and a patient in the hit tv show, E.R. But the dust couldn't land on Mel because he took on three parts in the tv show West Wing as a Supreme Court Justice, a Reporter and a Senator. We all know Mel was very versatile, so this was not a stretch for him. December found Mel going back to movies with a part in Sea Biscuit as a clocker. He also worked on the show Life with Bonnie, The Agency, Firefly, Miracles, The Shield, Scrubs, My Big Fat Greek Life, Charlie Lawrence Carnival, Conflict Matrix, Knee High P.I., Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm. His movie career called again catapulting him into the movie The District as a Policeman. He then took a moment to do a music video for Interscope Records for the group, Sting. Then back to movies, Starsky and Hutch, he was the police sergeant, he had the principal role as the Chief of C.I.A. in the movie Intelligence but during all the acting and modeling, Mel found time to do Playwriting and Directing, Photography, Public Speaking, Community, Motivational Moderating and a Driving Instructor.

Mel kept in shape working out and doing physical fitness consulting; However, he did have down time in which he loved landscaping, biking, swimming. But his all-time love (besides Aneesah) was beach volleyball and traveling.

Melvin Leroy Dreger is survived by his "love of his Aneesah Hasan. His blended family Nafeesah, Muhamin, Hameed and Hakeem.

Grandchildren: Faheem, Antonie, Destiny and Kaleb. Great grandchildren Ares and Alara Budalk, Mya, Andrew, Allie, Malie, Hannah, Michael, Jordan, Orion, Ashley and Saleem Hasan and his youngest brother Terry. He is also survived by Kurt and Maureen Dreger, Benjamin Dreger, Susan Dreger, Kim Dreger, Christe Dreger, Sarah Dreger, Bob and Maureen Webster, George Rosenau and Ron and Naranda.

He was proceeded in death by his father Lou Dreger and Mother Olga Dreger and brothers Wayne and Westley.

RIP Mel, you were the yin to Aneesah's yang. You always had great advice, and your sense of humor was unmatched. You lived your life to the fullest and we will miss you greatly however we know God is ecstatic to have you home. Just as we are missing you so immensely. Mel, you will always be the wonderful, weird, loving, crazy, funny, insightful man of all times and so very much loved. This is not goodbye, it is see you later so to the amazing R.N, Actor, Aneesah's soulmate, our Dad, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend and all-around Best of the Best. Rest in Peace, Mel.

Mel, my love. I enjoyed the love we had for each other. There is an empty space in our home without you. I miss you very much and you are the love of my life. You will remain in my heart, and your spirit will remain in our home. I will love you forever. The Lord took you home, no more pain now. You are in Heaven, save me a seat. We love you very much and you will be missed. I will love you forever and ever. Your wife, Aneesah.