Melvin Wells Obituary

Longtime Bayfield resident Melvin Ray Wells died suddenly Saturday, July 27, 2013, at his home. He was 73.

Known as Ray, he was born to D.D. and Noble Wells on April 16, 1940, in Durango. He grew up in Bayfield and graduated from Bayfield High School in the late 1950s.

Mr. Wells had a child with his first wife, Peggy, before the marriage ended in divorce.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, Mr. Wells went on a mission for the church in the San Francisco area.

Other than during his mission, he lived his whole life in Bayfield, much of it running Green Acres RV Park, which has been in his family for many years.

On Nov. 26, 1999, he married Kheta Ross-Miller at the LDS Temple in Monticello, Utah. She brought four children to their new family, and the couple added a son to complete it.

Mr. Wells enjoyed reading, particularly the Scriptures and other books about faith, as well as puttering in his garden.

"He had a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, his family and of storytelling," according to his family. "No one was a stranger to him. He was a man of integrity and honor and will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend."

Mr. Wells is survived by his wife of almost 14 years, Kheta Wells, of Bayfield; children Karena Miller and Chayton Wells, both of Bayfield, Maggie Wells of Lyons, Laramy Miller of Hamilton, Mont., Echo Blevins of Eagar, Ariz., and Jacy Miller of Tempe, Ariz.; sisters Roseanne Cusick of Bayfield and Jeanne Wells of Los Angeles; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1690 U.S. Highway 160B in Bayfield. Burial will take place afterward at the Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield.