Kenneth Mellott, 87
Kenneth Elwyn Mellott, 87, died Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in Anaheim, Calif.
Ken was born July 6, 1926, in Red Oak, the second child of Leslie Vernon and Emma Irene Mellott. Ken grew up in Montgomery County and served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1947.
He married Otha Lee Darby Jan. 6, 1946. They settled in Montgomery County and made their livelihood as independent farmers raising corn and livestock until 1957 when they moved to Anaheim.
Ken joined the Anaheim City Fire Department in 1958 and served the city for 23 years, attaining the rank of Captain. During that time, Otha and Ken moved to Laguna Niguel for a few years and then back to Anaheim Hills after the birth of their grandson in 1978. Ken retired from the Anaheim City Fire Department in 1981.
Ken and Otha pursued their shared interest in travel, spending many pleasant months over a period of 15-20 years traveling all across the continental United States visiting with family and friends and site-seeing. A favorite spot was Branson, Mo., where they visited Otha’s uncle and aunt, Estle and Dorothy Darby, and spent many hours trout fishing. They always visited their hometown of Red Oak to share time with family and Ken’s parents Leslie and Emma Mellott, while they were living, as well as Ken’s sister, Esther Marie Mellott.
They made two trips to Europe and a visit to Beijing, China. The highlight of their years of motor travel was a three-month expedition to Alaska, where they saw the major sites and Ken fished for salmon. They also enjoyed several ocean cruises and a steamboat trip down the Mississippi River.
In 1986, Ken got his contractor’s license and formed TRI-M Construction with two friends from AFD, Louie Stier and Mike McConnor. They worked together well into 2005 building custom homes and doing lots of re-modeling of existing homes.
In 2007, Otha became ill and Ken cared for her lovingly until her death Jan. 10, 2009. He continued to live in his home in Anaheim and was cared for by son, Bruce, daughter-in-law, Lee Ann, grandson, Sean and son, Derry in his final years.
Ken is remembered for his loving nature, his devotion to his beloved Otha Lee, being a great father, outstanding leader and mentor on AFD, for stalwart friendship, exceptional work ethic and energy and unfailing honesty.
He is survived by two sons, Derry Mellott and wife, Laura Iwasaki and Bruce Mellott and wife, Lee Ann Mellott; a grandson, Sean Mellott; a brother, Lynn Wendell Mellott; and several nieces, nephews and other loved ones.
A memorial service was at Salem Lutheran Church in Orange, Calif. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013.