Melvin "Mel" Edmund Gienapp

Melvin "Mel" Edmund Gienapp, was a husband, son, father, brother, grandfather and friend. Mel was the youngest of three sons and a daughter. He was born September, 6th 1932 in a little town in Iowa during the Great Depression; which made for a challenging childhood. He lost his father at a young age so his mother Flora raised them on her own and times were tough. Mel persevered, worked hard in school and he even helped out by washing dishes at his mother's restaurant. In his late elementary school years the family packed up and moved to Inglewood, California. He woke up every morning, went to school and earned good grades. He wanted to continue his education at the only school he dreamed of going to, Pepperdine University. It was a reputable Christian school. He could not attend, because he didn't have the means to do so, but he had an idea. He decided to enlist in the United States Army during the Korean War so that he could fight for the country that he so loved. When he was released with an honorable discharge, he went back to Pepperdine and he found out that the cost of the units had doubled. Mel felt challenged, but not defeated, so he applied for Pepperdine anyway. He knew it would be tough, but he wasn't a quitter. He worked a few jobs and one of them was at Fed Ex. Pepperdine accepted him and he maintained good grades while working a few jobs and he even joined the choir. Mel received his Bachelors Degree in Science and became a teacher. He married and had four children. He enjoyed being a father and was very proud of his children. Life sometimes doesn't stay the same and things change, but he always maintained his love for his children. Years later he changed careers and met his current wife Joann, who he spent 43 years with and he even gained a bonus daughter. He loved being a husband to Joann and they took really good care of each other. He was a creative and intelligent man who could fix anything. He loved to make things and his favorite was working with wood. He loved to fish at Twin Lakes in the Sierra Nevadas, golf everywhere and watch football. His favorite team was always the winning team. He loved sunsets and watched them from his back yard he enjoyed so much. He loved taking walks with Joann at Dana Point Harbor too. He cherished his blue Chevy truck and took very good care of it.  He loved being a grandfather too and he loved teaching them new things, including poker. He had great advice for everyone including his friends and he was a very good friend to the people he loved. Mel was loved by many and his memory will live in our hearts forever. Until we meet again in heaven. Mel is survived by his wife Joann, children Kim, Mark, Jill, Elli and Danny. Grandchildren Josh, Jackie, Lacey, Lindsey, Mandy, Katie, Brooke, Summer, Hunter, Luke, Raidon, Peyton and Laney. Daughter in law Dee Dee and son in law Steve.

You will never be forgotten

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Mel's name to either the American Heart or Lung Assoc. please go to the Charity Tabs to the left.