Melecio "Mel" Contreraz, 78, of Fort Morgan, passed away, July 29, 2021 at his home in Fort Morgan.

Melecio was born August 5, 1942 on a farm on Dodd Bridge Road near Brush. The family lived in the Spanish colony near Fort Morgan while Mel's dad was in the Army and afterwards, they grew up on a farm. Mel attended schools in Fort Morgan and graduated in 1960.

Beside his years of farming, Mel worked for the United States Postal Service just three days shy of 33 years before his retirement. Mel was an accomplished Shadetree mechanic. He enjoyed playing pool, cards, and bowling. He was an avid music lover, especially fond of James Brown. Mel was a member of Saint Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan and a life member of the B.P.O.E. #1143 where he served as two-time past Exalted Ruler.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Contreraz; sons, Miguel Contreraz and Marcos Contreraz; daughter, Angela Contreraz; two granddaughters, Alejandra Meza and Tahnesia Contreraz; and three brothers, Margarito Nunez, Cruz Contreraz, and Juan Contreraz.

He is reunited in Heaven with his mother, Juana and father, Melecio Contreraz; his brothers, Lorenzo Nunez and Antonio Nunez; and his sister, Avelina Nunez.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, August 3 ^rd at 10:30 AM at Saint Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan. The Holy Rosary will be recited prior to the service at 10:00 AM. Inurnment will follow in Memory Gardens in Fort Morgan.