Melvin Herman Evers Jr.

Melvin Herman Evers Jr., 53, a resident of the Portland metro area throughout his life, passed away on September 6, 2025, at his home.

Born November 2, 1971, in Portland, Oregon, Mel was the son of Melvin and Linda Evers, the younger twin to his sister Melinda, and the second oldest of four siblings. He grew up between Aloha and Newberg, achieved the rank of Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America, and graduated with Jesuit High School's Class of 1989, where he was active in theater, yearbook, and campus ministry. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, in 1993, where he co-founded the campus chapter of FLAG (Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and sang with the Men's Chorus - even touring Europe with the group.

Sometime after graduating from St. John's, Mel made his way back to Beaverton Bakery, where he had worked in high school and during school breaks while at SJU. Over the course of more than 10 years, he worked his way up to the role of production manager and into the hearts of his bakery colleagues, with whom he maintained relationships long after he left Beaverton Bakery. Later, he channeled his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into launching Phat Grandma's Bakery, delighting customers with his inventive baked goods. Driven to keep creating, he discovered Himalayan pink salt as an artistic medium and began making candles, clocks, and lamps, selling them online and at local craft shows through his SaltMine ShopWorx venture.

Mel lived in many corners of the Portland metro area, but his favorite was his time at The Gates in Portland, where his circle of friends and neighbors became like family. He was a longtime volunteer with Cascade AIDS Project and played an important role in Portland's LGBTQ+ community, where his laughter and encouragement helped others step into their true selves. Above all, Mel was known - truly by everyone - for his kindness. Mel was also fun-loving and a natural social spark - whether on a road trip across the U.S., a visit to Mexico, or just spending time with friends at home. At his best, he was the kind of person who made any gathering lighter, warmer, and funnier.

In addition to his love of baking, traveling, socializing, and hunting for a good cup of coffee, Mel had a passion for landscape design and gardening, sparked by a summer spent working in the flower gardens with the landscaping crew at St. John's University. The gardens he nurtured were legendary - lush, colorful, and bursting with life, much like him – and often became gathering places that brought people together.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Linda.

He is survived by his dear friend and former partner of seven years, Peter Corduan; his father and stepmother, Melvin Sr. and Cheryl Evers of Hillsboro, OR; his siblings Melinda (Peter Carbon) of Bellevue, WA, Lindel (Shannon Evers) of Oregon City, OR, and Aimee Pierce-Van Houten of Portland, OR; three stepsiblings Richard (Angela Allen) of Portland, OR, Jon Allen of Banks, OR, and Mary (James Cypert) of Hillsboro, OR; and was the proud uncle of numerous nieces, nephews, and one grandnephew.

Mel will be remembered for his kindness, creativity, and humor- and for the joy he sowed in his gardens, his baking, his community, and the hearts of all who knew him.

Donations can be dedicated, "In Memory of" - "Mel Evers Jr." to Cascade AIDS Project: click here

There will be a Funeral Mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Hillsboro, OR on October 22, 2025 at 11:00 am. (Rosary at 10:30)

We will gather for Mel's Celebration of Life on November 22, 2025 from 2-4 pm at Camp Mountaindale in North Plains, OR (36885 NW Uebel Rd). Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite party shirt/outfit, Mardi Gras beads, or something blue (Mel's favorite color) in Mel's honor.