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Manuel "Big Daddy" Melchior. Our beloved Big Daddy went to heaven to be with our Lord on Friday, September 23, 2005. He was born in Cochiti Pueblo and resided in Santa Fe, NM, before moving to Albuquerque in 1961. He attended St. Catherine's Indian School in Santa Fe where he learned the trade of tailoring from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. During his early school years, he was blessed to be in the presence of St. Katharine Drexel (founder of the school and recently canonized by Pope John Paul II in October 2000). He worked all his life as a master tailor, both in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, at several men's clothing stores, including Stromberg's Men's Store, Henry's Men's Store, Kistler Collister and Dillard's. Being a tailor was his love and passion and he continued this work until his death. Big Daddy was a wonderful and loving husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, but his family saw him mainly as a father figure. He raised not only his own children, but many of his grandchildren were raised under his loving hand. We are forever grateful for the many lessons he taught his family including hard work, dedication and family were the most important things in life. Big Daddy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna (Big Mama); his son, Larry Melchior; and great-granddaughter, Camden Elizabeth-Rose Sacoman. He is survived by his daughters, Betty Jackson of Albuquerque and Mary Alice Padilla of Phoenix, AZ. His grandchildren are Charlene Cooke and husband, Jim, Fort Collins, CO; Dede Van Voltinburg and husband, Jim, Roseville, CA; Linda Stephens and husband, Jim, Greensboro, NC; Bobbi Johnson and husband, Mark, Phoenix, AZ; Nancy Sacoman and husband, Rick, Albuquerque, NM; Kriss Middleton and husband, Robert, Albuquerque, NM; Lori Melchior, Albuquerque, NM and Larry Melchior and wife, Denise, Albuquerque, NM. The great-grandchildren are Jenni Ford and husband, Damon; Crystal Cooke; Amber, Leland, Serita and Brandon Stephens; Christian Sacoman; Stephanie Middleton; Larry and Candice Melchior; and Kiehren, Savannah and Chandler Melchior. The great-great-grandchildren are Devyn, Dominick, and Donovan Mom, and Kaitlyn Ford. Many nieces, nephews and extended family members are also remembered. Manuel was a long time member of Our Lady Fatima Church and a supporter of Highland Senior Center. He was a strong supporter of the ministries of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bensalem, PA. He also enjoyed traveling to many conferences as an "Honorary" member of the Federal Court Clerks' Association with Chicago as his last conference site in July 2005. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd NE on Wednesday, September 28, 2005; from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rosary will be recited following visitation from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Deacon Joe Herrera Jr. presiding. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 29, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM with Father Frances Xavier Eggert, Celebrant. Pallbearers will be Rick Sacoman, Christian Sacoman, Robert Middleton, Larry Siner, Michael Romero and Larry Melchior. Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Cooke, Benny Romero, Mark Johnson, Aaron Stone and Jim Van Voltinburg. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery and a reception at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Contributions may be made in Mr. Melchior honor to Sister of Blessed Sacrament, 1663 Bristol Pike, Ben Salem, PA, 19020. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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