Melvin Mitchell Obituary

Melvin Edward Mitchell was the baby of his family. He was born in Flint, Michigan on June 9, 1929, six years after his brother Lloyd. A student and professor of American history, Mel had a knack for experiencing key events. His dad, Johnston, worked for General Motors during the time that GM became the king of auto manufacturing. As a young boy, he listened to his dad, family, and neighbors discuss workers' rights and the merits of the United Auto Workers. Mel attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with a Journalism degree in 1952. He loved to reminisce about the Fabulous Five winning championships in 1948-49 and Adolf Rupp coaching his team to a third championship in 1951.
After the death of his mom, Cecilia, in 1942, Mel lived on a farm in Franklin County, Kentucky with his dad and stepmom, Margaret. After college, he wrote for a Kentucky newspaper before moving to California with his dad and stepmom. He landed in San Clemente and ended up living there for most of the remainder of his life – always praising San Clemente's temperate climate.
In the late 1960s, as the Director of Community Service of Saddleback College, Mel helped persuade the residents of southern Orange County to approve the creation and funding of a community college. He promoted and watched the construction and growth of Saddleback College during the 1970s.
Mel's family defined his life. Three weeks after his dad died, Mel met the love of his life, Rachael Gutierrez. They met on December 7, 1957, at a Presbyterian Church function for professionals. Mel thought Rachael – or "Raquel" as Mel likes to say – was a "knockout." Mel's persistence and good humor won Rachael over. Just six months later, Mel – a blond, blue-eyed boy from Kentucky – married Rachael – one of five children from a Mexican-American family. Rachael's family opened their arms. Mel hugged them back. He loved the many family gatherings over the years – especially the spicy Mexican food and gregarious celebrations.
After retiring from Saddleback College as a history professor, Mel had a second romance with Rachael. Every year, they enjoyed wonderful holidays. They traveled across four continents. They danced under the stars in Mazatlán. They held hands in Paris. They navigated the streets of Barcelona. They mourned together at Auschwitz and Birkenau. They climbed Machu Picchu. They used chopsticks in Xian. They cruised the Rhine. And so much more.
Mel's family miss cheering for the University of Kentucky Wildcats with him. During college basketball season, Mel often put on a Kentucky blue t-shirt and cheered from his recliner. His family knew that they could not call during a Kentucky game. He would only return text messages when his beloved Wildcats were comfortably in the lead. Basketball season ended when Kentucky played their last game.
Mel had a generous, progressive spirit and an immense love for his family. Mel coached youth basketball for both sons. Mel and younger son, Alan, played many rounds of golf together. He and Rachael put both sons through college. Mel and Rachael spent precious time in their RV on the coast of Oregon with granddaughter Carmen. Mel and Rachael enjoyed memorable family trips to Maui, Sun River, Oregon, Portland, Oregon, Saint Louis, Missouri, and the Netherlands. Mel emailed, texted and called his sons throughout the week. In his communications, he had a sunny disposition and offered encouragement and praise.
Mel's family especially miss his wonderful sense of humor. He loved to tell dad jokes when his family let him. When he had trouble sleeping at night, he read Calvin and Hobbs. He liked to email his sons his favorite Calvin and Hobbs. He wrote his own humorous greeting cards to his sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The thickest file in his file cabinet is one marked "humor." He clipped, printed, and saved jokes and humorous stories. You never know when a good joke will come in handy.
Mel is the beloved husband and bridge partner of Rachael for 63 years; dear dad of Johnston (Christine) and Alan (Pam); dear grandfather to Carmen (Derek) Clark, David Mitchell, and Deontay Mitchell-Hood; doting great grandfather to Mitchell and Benjamin Clark; dear sister-in-law to Corky Mitchell; dear uncle and friend to many. Mel's mother, father, brother, half-brother and half-sister preceded him in death.
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