February 13 1946 January 12 2020 (age 73)
Obituary Mel Wisdom 02/13/1946 – 01/12/2020 Melvin Lloyd Wisdom was born in Palo Alto, Ca at Stanford hospital to Marvin Donald Wisdom and Francis Ruth McKee Wisdom on Feb 13th,1946. He came into this world with 2 half-brothers before him, Donald Lloyd Wisdom and Nicholas Dale Chickerell. 5 years later, a sister, Dianna Marlene Wisdom was born into this union. 11 years later and new marriages for both parents, another half-brother, James Edwin Hopkins was born. Mel grew up in San Jose and Merced, California as well as Washington state. He went out on his own at 17, ending up in Santa Barbara, California where he met and married Emily Jane Ogden. The two married on April 25th, 1964 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Two daughters soon followed, Dianna Marlene Wisdom on 08/10/1964 in Santa Barbara, CA and Melody Dawn Wisdom on 07/18/1967 in San Jose CA. During this time, Mel worked at Ford Motor Co in Milpitas, CA, later owning a Street Rod Shop in San Jose, CA with his brother in law, Robert Rudolph Ogden II and on to truck driving within CA and the 11 western states. Emily died on November 11th, 1988 in Auburn CA, prompting Mel to move to Fairfield, CA where his mother and stepfather, Elmer Eugene Hopkins lived. He married Karen Dee Milburn on December 31st, 1992 in Vacaville, CA, expanding the family to include Karen’s children, Tamara Lee Milburn and Daniel Arthur Milburn, both of Vacaville, CA. While in Fairfield, he drove a cement mixer, managed Adobe Rentals and eventually owned and operated Valley Power Sweeping. During this time, 7 grandchildren were born: Nicholas Zachary Wisdom 03/10/1991, Joshua Allen Douglas 08/14/1994, step grandson, Van Doren Slenders 04/16/1996, Sophia Hope Hambrecht 04/02/2000, Olivia Jane Hambrecht 12/19/2002, Patrick Joseph Slenders 02/05/2004 and step grandson, Gregory Arthur Milburn 05/10/2006. After selling the business and retiring, Mel and Karen moved to Vail, Arizona where they lived for 12 years. While in Vail, Mel and Karen welcomed a Great Grandson to the family with Cooper Anthony Wisdom, born to Nicholas Wisdom on 10/11/2013. Deciding they wanted to be closer to their children, they moved to Merced, CA in 2015. Mel and Karen divorced in 2017. Mel spent his time tinkering in the garage, cooking, going to the car races and enjoying his family’s company. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, often boasting to anyone who would listen about whatever current accomplishment one of them made. He also kept many of his daughter’s friends close, affectionately referring to them as his “unadopted daughters”. Mel’s mischievous smile and gift of small talk made him friends wherever he went, but talking cars was by far his most interesting conversations and he could spend hours chatting about his history and love of the motor vehicle. Mel is survived by his step-father, Elmer Eugene Hopkins; brother, James Edwin Hopkins (Angela); brother in law, Robert Rudolph Ogden II; sister in law, Louise Wisdom; daughters, Dianna Wisdom-Hambrecht and Melody Wisdom; step-children, Tamara Milburn and Daniel Milburn (Kay),7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, many nieces, nephews and cousins; his ex-wife, Karen Wisdom and of course, his “unadopted daughters”, as well as many friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bella Luna restaurant in Merced, CA on February 22, 2020 at 12 pm. To send flowers to Melvin’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Melvin Lloyd Wisdom February 13 1946 January 12 2020 (age 73).
Death notice for the town of: Atwater, state: California