09/29/2025
In Memory of
Isaac Chy Melena
Isaac Chy Melena, at the age of seventy-four, passed on into eternity to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, California.
He was known to his immediate family and close friends as Chy and to co-workers and church family as Isaac. Chy was born and raised in Santa Maria, third generation, the oldest child, to Santos and Charlotte Melena.
He attended Adam Elementary School, El Camino Junior High, and Santa Maria High School. He participated in youth sports, such as baseball and track. When he got older, he played softball, playing shortstop, with his friends and brothers at Hagerman Park. He also coached softball for his daughters and nieces.
As a young person, he worked with his family seasonally throughout California and Oregon. He later worked with his dad in the family's general contracting business, where they built many of Santa Maria’s buildings, which are still up today. In his twenties, he also worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Chy was proud to have worked as a Maintenance Specialist at the Housing Authority for over thirty-nine years. His co-workers remember fun memories and how he was full of life, laughter, and jokes. He got to know the community and enjoyed seeing the younger generations grow.
Although he could not serve in the military due to a childhood illness, he was a great patriot and supporter. He instilled patriotism in his children and loved celebrating the Fourth of July with lots of fireworks.
Chy loved spending time with his family, going camping, and going to the beach. He enjoyed riding his Harley and referred to it as his childhood dream. He was a major fan of the Los Angeles Chargers and Angels. Once he retired, he began to travel to many places, including Mazatlán, to see the Total Solar Eclipse in 2024.
He maintained a routine of running well into his fifties. After work, he ran laps around Preisker Park and participated in the Guadalupe Marathon from Santa Maria. As he got older, he would walk along the Santa Maria River Levee Trail and take his Australian Shepherd Heeler, Jack Theodore, and his Husky, Lady Estrella, with him. One of his pastimes was to barbecue for family and friends. He also enjoyed relaxing by a late-night bonfire in the backyard or at the beach.
Chy was known for his contagious laugh and high-spirited, loving personality. He filled our lives with fun and laughter. He was selfless, kind, compassionate, and had a big heart.
He is survived by his wife, Alma, his children, Pearl, Becky, Gabriel, and Krystal. He also leaves behind his siblings Bob, Joe, Richard, Tina, Jim, and Bill, and their spouses, Stephanie, Cindy, Terri, Victor, Cindy, and Janet. He is also loved by a large family, which includes nieces, great nieces, their children, and his in-laws.
Chy was preceded in death by his parents, Santos and Charlotte; his brother, Mark; his grandparents, Ysabel and Pasquale Melena, Juan and Justa Camacho; and many other family and friends dear to him.
The day after his passing, Santa Maria had a sudden tropical storm with rolling rumbles of thunder and lightning. This was considered a gift from above to his children because Chy loved to hear the thunder, run out to the rain, and watch the lightning light up the sky. On that day, they found this very comforting. We find comfort in knowing that we will see him again.
HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me… And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” –John 14:1-3
“But I do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to honor the life of Isaac Chy Melena be made directly to Magner-Maloney Funeral Home.
Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.