MELVIN JAMES BARTHEL

(1931 - 2023)

Melvin James "Jim" Barthel, 91, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023, surrounded by his wife Barbara and their three children Joseph (Tami), David (Susan), and Jason.  In addition, he is survived by his sister Esther and daughter-in-law Michelle. He was preceded in death by his son Dale, his parents and his sister Janet.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Fredrick and Louise Barthel, Jim met his wife of 70 years In Murray, Utah. Jim served in the Korean War. The family lived in Utah before Jim was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base. He spent 40 years as a Civil Service Employee. His last assignment started at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1963, where he retired in January 1993. He was General Manager of the Ogden Air Logistics Center Operations location (formerly known as Detachment 41) responsible for the follow-on test and evaluation of Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBMs.

Jim enjoyed golfing. For 30 years he volunteered at Lompoc High School, helping in all sports. Seventeen of those years he was known as the "Voice of the Braves" where he announced over the PA all of the Friday night football games. He also coached little league baseball, basketball and football. He was a member of the Lompoc Elks Lodge. He enjoyed boating and spending a lot of time at his second home at Nacimiento Lake for the past 50 years.

The biggest joy of his life was spending time with his 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Grave side services will be held on June 10th at 10:00am at the Lompoc Cemetery.