Melton Ray Lawrence

April 28, 1942 - May 15, 2017

Melton Ray Lawrence born April 28th, 1942 in San Diego, California. He was the first born of five unto Andrew Milton Lawrence and Zelma Lucille Modisett. Mel has left behind his loving wife, Carol M. Lawrence and son, Joshua Codee. His children from previous marriages are: daughter-Debbie, daughter-Melody, daughter-Candy, son Mel Jr., and daughter Jordyn. His siblings and spouses are: brother-Ronnie and Alice, brother- Jim and Pat, brother-Joe and Jan, sister-Anita and Gary. Mel has also left behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces. Mel was a Musician, Singer and Songwriter. Although he grew up on Gospel, Mel loved Country. He performed with many of Bakersfield's Original Country Sound performers, such as Buck Owens, Red Simpson, and many more dating back to the 1960's. For several years Mel performed in many Honky Tonks around the States, til he was drafted to the Vietnam War in 1966. His Commanding Officer found out that Mel was a Musician, soon Mel was performing for Our Troops. Mel was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1968. Mel came back to Bakersfield in the early 1980's where he continued to play at Honky Tonks such as the, Barrel House and Funny Farm. He recorded a few albums and even had a recording label, Memory Maker. Mel left the music entertainment business in 1996 to become a Correctional Officer with California Correctional Department of Corrections, working at the California Correctional Institution of Tehachapi (CCI). Mel excelled as a Officer and soon promoted to Correctional Sergeant. In 2008 CCI medically retired Mel due to developing a Aorta Aneurysm and High Blood Pressure. Mel came back to the music industry by performing at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace with some of his original band. He would also play bass for a group called the 'Fat Catz' a few times a month. He continued to record himself via a website, 'Sing Snap', its where Mel also found himself back to singing Old Gospel. He would later find himself a little church called, 'The Cowboy Church'. He enjoyed himself and made many new friends. In June of 2016 Mel started having issues, due to his heart and arteries becoming blocked. He endured several strokes, heart attacks and vascular issues. He had to endure many Angiograms following Angioplasty's. His body finally said enough and Mel went to be with his Maker on Monday, May 15, 2017.