Melvin "Mel" Whitlock

1939 - 2025

Melvin "Mel" Whitlock

Mel Whitlock, a resident of Porterville, California, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Mel was born on January 8, 1939 in Garden City, Kansas to Alrick Zenas Whitlock and Juanita Helen Wooden. Mel was 86.

While attending Garden City High School, Mel did well in wrestling, winning most of his matches. The family not having enough money to send Mel to Oklahoma State University to pursue his wrestling career, decided to serve his country by enlisting in the US Navy for 4 years. After discharge, he moved to the LA area where he worked for IBM for many years until he and his family moved to the Tulare-Visalia area where he trained at the Porterville Developmental Center to become a Psych Tech, doing various methods to help the clients he was charged to having them reach their highest potential. He found this job especially rewarding. Mel retired after 28 years of state service.

On several Thanksgiving occasions, Mel and his band of volunteers were known to have purchased, prepared and served meals to the needy in the local area. PDC wholeheartedly approved the use of their kitchen area for this event. Mel never ceases to provide aid. In one instance, he and a friend drove and 18-wheeler from California to Missouri to deliver relief supplies to a natural disaster site in the state.

After retirement, Mel was able to obtain his Ordained Pastor credentials from Fresno Pacific College and California State University Bakersfield. He was fortunate to start a congregation at the Pleasant Valley Chapel in Springville and subsequently retired from this pastoral duties to be just on call.

Mel enjoyed car racing and did so for 12 years. He built his own racing cars and is particularly attached to his '67 Mustang. He was a master electrician and handyman. He also participated and was a scheduler of the senior softball games and tournaments locally, out of town or out of state.

Throughout his earlier years, you could find Mel coaching Pioneer School football, Monache freshman softball, Peewee Knothole, Giant Knothole and Babe Ruth baseball. He was also involved in being and assistant wrestling coach at Monache.

If you knew Mel, you would find personable, witty and has extraordinary skill in making people laugh, even at themselves. Mel's motto: Leave people feeling better than they were.

He is predeceased by his parents, Alrick Zenas and Juanita Helen Whitlock; his brother, Gene Sr.; his sister, Rebecca; his daughters, Becky and Rhonda; his son, Ronnie; his wives, Dorothy and Shirley. He is survived by his wife, Louisa; sons, Randy (Kim) and Tim (Cindy); daughter. Debra Berkovich(Rick); and sister Linda Spikes. He was a grandfather to 7 and 14 great grandchildren with many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Myers Reception Hall on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A Service will be held at Myers Reception Hall on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:00AM. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Porterville, California.

In Lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Melvin Whitlock may be made to Vision Calvary Chapel, 20220 Rd. 196, Lindsay, CA 93247; First Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Garden City, KS 67846; or the Roger S. Good Cancer Treatment Center, 465 W. Putnam Ave., Porterville, CA 93257.

To share a memory, or express condolences to the family, please visit the obituaries section of our website at www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.