MELROSE, Michael Andrew 1959-2008

MELROSE, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: K. Kittleson (email)
Date: 9/10/2008 at 20:58:48

Michael Melrose, age 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Charles City, died Saturday, September 6, 2008, at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix.

Michael Andrew Melrose was born October 25, 1959, at Two Harbors, Minnesota, the son of Andy and Diane (Christensen) Melrose. He graduated from the Charles City High School in 1978, attended the University of Iowa from 1978 to 1980 and received an Associates Degree in advertising from Northwood Institute in Midland, Michigan in 1982. Michael sold advertising for a newspaper in Kansas City, Mo., For Rent Magazine and The Green Sheet in Dallas, Tex., Frisco Enterprise Newspaper in Frisco, Tex., Skyway News in St. Paul, Minn., he was national Sales Director for True West Magazine in Cave Creek, Ariz., and most recently he worked for the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, Ariz.

He will always be remembered as a very outgoing person with a great sense of humor. He loved life and lit up a room whenever he entered.

His enjoyment of history and artwork of the Old West came from his days of working at True West magazine. Michael’s love of pop culture started in college when he wrote a movie script, took a cross country road trip and tried to sell it in Hollywood to no avail. He was also a huge music fan (especially songs of the 70’s and the Beatles) and saved memorabilia from childhood to present day that reminded him of good memories.

Unknown to many, Michael also performed as an amateur comedian in Phoenix area comedy clubs the past two years. He wrote all of his own material and constantly took notes of anything funny to use in future routines. Michael always enjoyed a good game of chance with his family, friends, brothers, nephews and niece. He would often say, “Does anybody want to take me on for a buck a hole?”

Living family members include his parents, Andy and Diane Melrose of Charles City; two brothers, Mark (Carole) Melrose of Charles City and Tim (Ann) Melrose of Clearwater, Minn.; a niece, Ellen Melrose, and three nephews, Nicholas Melrose, Carter Melrose and Cole Maiers.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the YMCA Building Project, 800 Hulin St. Charles City, IA 50616.

[Obituary from Hauser Funeral Home website, Sept. 10, 2008]