Melvin Edick was born March 19th 1921 to Henry and Ethel Edick on the Edick family farm in Gladwin Michigan. He was educated, grades one through eight, in a one room country school which he often referred to as the best education a child could have, the three R's. After completing high school in Gladwin in 1938, Mel came to Fullerton, California to live with his sister and brother in law Winifred and Larry Jadle. He attended Fullerton Junior College for 3 years while working with Larry at the family service station. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy learning to fly S-NJ's in Corpus Christi, Texas. Then, Lt. Melvin Edick was transferred to the Marine Corps to fly S-BD's in the Caribbean (St. Thomas) and TBM's in the Pacific (Okinawa). After WWII, he returned to Fullerton where he met the love of his life, Doris Stewart. They were married 3 years later. From 1946 until 1952, Melvin attended U.C. Davis. There he worked in Dr. Max Kleiber's animal physiology lab with the radioactive isotope "Tracer Team", creating the "Edick Mask" for trapping respiratory and eructated gases from cows. Mel graduated from U.C. Davis in 1947 (BS-Animal husbandry) and in 1952 (DVM- The first graduating class of U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine). In 1952 Melvin and Doris along with their two young sons, Doug and Stan, moved to Willows California where Mel practiced veterinary medicine and their last son, Tom, was born. Mel became a partner in that practice and later in a practice in Orland, California. In 1955, they moved with their family to Delano, California where they opened Delano Veterinary Clinic, raised their family and many years later ran a dairy in McFarland. Mel and Doris retired from the practice after 30 years of serving the community. Doc, as he was affectionately known, served on the Delano Planning Commission, the Delano Elementary School Board, the Delano Airport Commission, and was a member of the Exchange and the Elks Clubs. He was a lifetime member of the Kern County Veterinary Medical Association serving as president for 2 years. Since coming to Delano, Mel was a regular for coffee at the Curve Inn Café. Spirited discussion among friends was the rule of the day at the Curve Inn, but unfortunately the world's problems were never completely solved. Mel's passion for flying as a Marine pilot never left him. For 45 years, he owned and operated light aircraft from Delano Airport. Mel and Doris loved flying from Delano to Oceano for a walk on the beach and to have fish and chips. Flying kept them close to their family and friends, traveling as far as Pennsylvania in their Mooney Aircraft. In retirement, Mel enjoyed flying, working on airplanes, working on car restoration projects, and modifying, redesigning, and building almost anything imaginable. He loved traveling with Doris back to the farm in Michigan in his convertible Mustang and traveling to Marine Corps squadron reunions throughout the nation. On Friday, April 22nd, Melvin Edick was called home to the Lord with his family at his bedside. He is survived by Doris, his wife of 62 years, sons Douglas Edick, Stanley Edick (and his wife Janice), Thomas Edick (and his wife Lisa), grandchildren Cynthia Gutierrez (and husband Michael), David Edick (and wife Hayley), Jennifer Edick and Brian Edick, great-grandchildren Gavin Edick, Hannah Edick, Elijah Edick, and Ellianna Gutierrez. In addition he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his special sister law Vivian Edick from Michigan. The family wishes to thank Marion (niece) and Gregg Armstrong, Elizabeth (niece) and Robert Bettis, Shirley (niece) and Les Hoffman, Dr. Tom Hoffman (nephew), Keith (nephew) and Kay Edick for your timely visits to keep in contact with your uncle Mel. We all loved him and we will all miss him from the bottoms of our hearts. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 2:00pm at RiverLakes Community Church in Bakersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, the VFW, and to RiverLakes Memorial Church.