THOMAS, Melvin Lewis (Mel)

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Tuesday, April 23, 2013 Melvin Lewis Thomas 65, of Weed California, passed away on April 2nd at Mt. Shasta Hospital. He was born December 30th 1947 in Seminole, Texas to Jacqueline (Ross) and James Spicer. Mel's natural father James died in 1953. His mother was remarried to Thomas C Thomas and the family relocated to Sedona Arizona in 1957. Mel graduated from Flagstaff High School and Northern Arizona University where he was a member of the Shrine of Ages Choir. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. After leaving the air force he took a job at the Texas Military Institute as an instructor and dorm parent. While in Texas, Mel received his master's degree in physics from Trinity University. He moved to Phoenix where he worked for the air force on research and development projects. Later he lived in the Chicago area and worked for the IT department at a large oil and gas company. It was while living there he discovered his spiritual calling. His last years were devoted to spiritual growth and helping others on that path through the organization "Loves Full Circle" in Northern California. He wrote and published a book, Open Heart Flow in 2012. Mel was known to his spiritual family as "Mendera". He was preceded in death by his natural father, James Spicer, and by his adopted father, Tommy Thomas. He is survived by two sons, Trevor and Mathew, their mother Valerie, ex-wife Carol, his brother Mark of Flagstaff and his mother Jackie Thomas of Sedona. There will be a private Celebration of Life for the family at an undetermined date in the future. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.