Visger, Melvin Joseph

Was a well loved local sports figure and business 
entrepreneur. Sadly, Mel was fatally injured in an 
automobile accident caused by poor weather conditions 
on February 26, 2010 at 4pm. Mel was returning from a 
short vacation with his loving wife Jan, when they were 
struck by a vehicle on interstate 5 near the Sacramento 
International Airport. Mel was 55 years old.

Mel was the third of six children raised by his loving 
parents, Rita and Jack Visger. Mel was born in Stockton, 
California on June 17, 1954, the day Rocky Marciano won 
the heavy weight championship, and was immediately 
nick-named ''Champ'' by his father Big Jack Visger. History 
would prove that Mel would more than live up to the 
moniker ''Champ.''

Mel grew up playing many sports. He played football and 
wrestled at Stagg High School, attended University of the 
Pacific on a football scholarship, and loved playing rugby 
for the Newport Beach Sharks and the Sacramento 
Capitols.

Mel wore many hats. ''The Mellon'' as his brothers 
affectionately called him, worked as a counselor at the 
Boys Ranch in Sacramento, was a college football coach, 
and worked for Air Cal and American Airlines in Southern 
California as he raised a family and pursued a law degree. 
The pride and joy of his life were his children Clayton and 
Natalie, as well as his stepson David Ainsworth, son of his 
devoted wife Jan.

Mel attended Law School at Western State College of Law. 
He moved to Sacramento in the late 80's where he was an 
associate with his good friend and UOP teammate 
Morrison England at the law firm of Quattrin, Johnson, 
Campora & England.

Mel is survived by his wife, Jan, his children Clayton and 
Natalie, and stepson David. Also surviving are Mel's 
mother, Rita Visger, sister Marsha Lavagnino (Bob), sister 
Sharon Newman (Rick), sister Jackie Greisen (Robin), 
brother Bob Visger (Tanya), brother George Visger (Kristi), 
and a host of adoring nephews and nieces, great nephews, 
great nieces, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mel was bigger than life. He wore his heart on his sleeve. 
Mel was a stand-up kind of guy and he will be dearly 
missed. On a more humorous note and just for Mel, the 
only thing missing here is a monkey.

Memorial contributions may be sent to: University of the 
Pacific, Advancement Services in Memory of Mel Visger, 
3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 99611, so other Stagg 
High Schoolers may have the same opportunity for a 
scholarship to an ivy league school, such as UOP. A 
viewing will be held at Lind Brothers Mortuary, 4221 
Manzanita Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608 on Wednesday 
March 3, 2010 from 5-7pm with a rosary following. The 
memorial mass will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 
11am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 10499 Coloma 
Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670; with a celebration of 
life immediately following in the church hall. 

Published in the The Sacramento Bee on March 3, 2010