Melvin M. Ludlam
Marriages
Ruth
Jil (Jenne) Ludlam
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6 B Obituary - June 4, 2014
Melvin M. Ludlam
February 28, 1929 - May 22, 2014
The story of the American Dream is the story of Melvin Ludlam’s life. Success and challenge. Love and loss. Tradition and new beginning.
And most importantly, his success at leaving behind a family, community and country in better shape than how he found it.
Melvin Murle Ludlam of Cedaredge passed May 22nd, in Eckert, CO. He was 85. Melvin was born in Greenwood County, Kansas on February 28, 1929, to James and Gladys Ludlam where he was raised on a farm. For Melvin, a child of the Great Depression, renewal,
self-reliance, ingenuity, family and music were central to the meaning of his life. Like so many other post-Depression farming families, Melvin and Ruth (Campbell) Ludlam embarked on a journey from Kansas to Colorado in 1948, along their oldest son Melvin Jr., parents and brother Laverne and wife Patricia. His sister Mollie remained in Kansas.
They had little in their pockets but were filled with the possibilities manifest in a young marriage and the bountiful opportunities of Western Colorado. Working odd jobs, the family scraped together the money to build a full-service gas station and garage known for many years as Ludlam and Sons Garage on North Avenue in Grand Junction.
Building a new life in Grand Junction was full of joys and challenges and resulted in a family, business and farm that would define their life together. Their second son John was born in 1953. Raising family without a safety net was a signature of Melvin’s generation and created an extended family circle of support that he remembered fondly and shared stories about until the end. In addition to working in the garage, farming and raising various livestock, Melvin also worked for many years at the AEC/DOE facility in a variety of positions including the warehouse, security force, and mail room to help support his family.
The early passing of Ruth, his high school sweet-heart and wife of 42 years, was difficult. But life affords renewal and gave Melvin a second chance for love. A wife, companion and soul-mate, Jil (Jenne) Ludlam stood by Melvin’s side for 23 years. For 15 of those years he battled cancer. He, with Jil’s help, set an example for those around him about the importance of hope, positive thinking and focusing on what’s before you as key to overcoming earthly adversity. Music. Family. History.
He lived his life in these categories. He loved music. He valued family. He shared his history. From Kansas to Colorado, from life to passing, Melvin Ludlam lives eternally though God, loved ones and a humble but remarkable contribution to the story of our country and community.
As a great-grandmother of six, Jil is loved by and is a part of Melvin’s family forever. Jil was joined with Melvin hand-in-hand until his point of passing. Melvin’s legacies live on in his sons, Melvin Jr and John; grandsons, Michael and David, and granddaughters, Shelly, Melissa, and Anne, and seven great-grandchildren.
During Melvin’s passing he was surrounded by the love of family, support of superb and caring medical staff and the grace of God. He passed in the community that he loved on the slopes of the Grand Mesa - a special place where his ashes will remain for eternity.
Grand Junction graveside service to be observed June 13th, 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Gardens and following will be a celebration of Melvin’s life to be held at Pioneer Town Stole Shed in Cedaredge, CO from 2 - 4:00 p.m. Contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416.
