Mel was born in Eugene, Oregon to Matthew "Clayton" and Thelma Kirkland.  He attended the University of Oregon where he joined the Air Force ROTC program.  While there, he met his wife, Judi Byron, and they were married on June 21, 1963.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2 ^nd Lt. in the Air Force.  He and Judi spent the next 21 plus years living in many different places.  Mel was known for his expertise in the Transportation and Logistic field throughout his career.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mel spent several years in Fairfax VA where he worked for the Air Transport Association, spending time in Washington DC and Germany.  He then moved to  Colorado Springs CO, where he sold real estate on a part time basis for about 10 years.  Finally, he and Judi fully retired to Battle Ground, Washington where for the next 13 years they enjoyed  their rural home and its 5 acres.  While in Battle Ground, they purchased an Alfa Class A motorhome and spent the winter months traveling in the warm southwest.  After spending several winters in Yuma, AZ, he and Judi bought a house there and Mel spent time working with the Yuma Garden Club and the Alfa Motorhome Owners group.

Mel loved Trains, Planes and Automobiles.  He volunteered as a conductor on the Chelatchie Prairie Steam Engine in Washington for several years.  He loved everything to do with airplanes, especially trips with his friend Lee Killen in his small 6 seat plane.  He was also an avid Nascar fan and thoroughly enjoyed going to car shows.

Mel had a unique sense of humor and thoroughly enjoyed life.  He made friends easily.  Seldom was there a Friday evening that didn't involve a group of people gathering around his bar-b-q.  Mel also loved to see new places.  Over the years, he and Judi traveled the US, Kenya, Greece, China, Bolivia, Peru, and Canada with their friends Barb and Lee Killen.

Mel is survived by his wife, Judi, and his daughter, Lori.  His brother, Clay, only survived him by  about a little over 2 weeks.  Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Thelma Kirkland.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Kirkland home in Yuma, Arizona on February 24 ^th at 11:00 AM.   Contact Judi for details.   From there, an honor guard of the Patriot Guard Riders will take his ashes to the Sunset Vista Cemetery where there will be a short service provided by the American Legion Post 19 of which he was a member.  Instead of flowers, please donate your time or money to your favorite charity.