WHITROCK, Floyd (Mel)

~ Mel Whitrock Obituary ~ April 10, 1919 - Oct. 10, 2008 Former Longview resident Mel Whitrock, 89, passed away in Green Valley, Ariz., where he lived for 18 years. Mel was a member of Valley Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon. He was also a volunteer of the Arizona State Parks, serving at the Tubac Presidio. He had been a board member and volunteer for the Green Valley Food Bank. Mel was born in Friend, Ore. He attended Oregon State University, however, his schooling was interrupted by his service in the Army Air Force during World War II. Mel joined the local IBEW in 1945. He was co-owner of Frenchie's Electric Service until starting Whitrock Electric, retiring in October 1982. Mel's interests were his family, gardening and backyard birds. Mel was preceded in death by his first wife of 28 years, Norma; his second wife of 28 years, Ila; and two children, Todd Whitrock and Tifnee Whitrock Basiger. Mel is survived by his sons, Toby (Jan) Whitrock, Michael (Cheryl) Averre and John (Angela) Averre; a daughter, Jan (Larry) Isaacson; a daughter-in-law, Julie Whitrock; a son-in-law, Bill Basiger; a sister, Anita Horner; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Private interment was held at Valley Presbyterian Columbarium in Green Valley. Contributions in Mel's name may be made to the IBEW Local #970 Scholarship Fund, 1145 Commerce Ave., Longview, WA 98632. Published in The Daily News on 11/13/2008