Levon Melkonian

Levon Diran Melkonian, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away on August 20, 2014 surrounded by his family. It was a long goodbye; he'd been struggling with Alzheimer's for the last few years and a broken hip hastened his death.

Levon was born in Larnaca, Cyprus. His parents fled the Armenian genocide in Turkey and established a life there amongst Greeks and fellow Armenians. Early on, Levon had a passion for Christian service, and after his degree from Bob Jones University he worked as a missionary with the Navigators in Southern India with college students. There he met and married Ellen Bartholdy, a Dane teaching with the Danish Mission Society. From India, they moved with the Navigators to Beirut, Lebanon, before settling in Modesto, California, where they continued to raise their six children. Levon taught history at Beyer High School and was passionate serving in the Orthodox Presbyterian congregation where he led as an elder for many years. In his retirement, Levon and Ellen helped with the care of their eldest daughter's three boys, and renewed their international service, working with a Danish seaman's mission in San Francisco and a Christian education program in Armenia.

These past few years, Levon and Ellen lived with their son and his family in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and most recently with their daughter and her family in Denver. They had the opportunity to spend more time with their children and fifteen grandchildren. Levon loved the Lord and was confident of his faith. He began each day steeped in God's word, praying for the world, his family and friends. He was an articulate, outgoing man, who loved to engage and host others from around the world, discuss politics and religion (especially Reformed theology), and share his love of the Lord. Although he wouldn't claim the mantle, he was an early creation care man, cycling to work, insisting on only one car (for a family of eight), constantly picking up trash and cans, and recycling everything he could (the neighbors did talk).

We will have a service for Levon on Tuesday, August 26th at 10am at Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3411 Albion Street, Denver CO 80207.

Levon is survived by his wife, Ellen, his sister Marie Melkonian, brother Garo Melkonian and wife Maggie Melkonian, children Lois Melkonian and husband Art Raymond, Dan Melkonian and wife Lora Melkonian, John Melkonian and wife Debbie Melkonian, Paul Melkonian and wife Yvonne Melkonian, Mark Melkonian and wife Valery Melkonian, Ruth Melkonian-Hoover and husband Dennis Hoover, 15 grandchildren, dozens of nieces and nephews, the most amazing caregiver, Diana Bailey, and a host of friends.

Contributions may be made in memory of Levon to the Denver Hospice at 501 South Cherry Street Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80246. We respectfully request that any donations made, specifically indicate that it be applied to their Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center facility.