Mark Melkonian
April 6, 1956 - January 7, 2022
Fresno, California - Mark Suren Melkonian was born on April 6, 1956 in Fowler, California to Suren and Violet Melkonian and passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 7, 2022 in Fresno, California. Mark was raised on the family farm in the Lone Star area near Sanger. He was a 1974 graduate of Sanger High School where he played football and was an exceptional offensive lineman for the Apaches. Mark went on to Reedley College where he continued to play football for another two years before joining the family farming and dehydrating business with his father and two brothers at Lone Star Dehydrator. After his father Suren suffered a heart attack in 1980, Mark was tasked with running and operating the family business at a very young age. On October 18, 1985, Mark married the love of his life, Cheri Melikian. They were blessed with three wonderful children. Mark played a very active role in his children's lives and enjoyed raising them and watching them grow up. Mark took a great deal of pride in running his business and was very successful in growing the dried fruit business. He was very knowledgeable in the raisin business and was well respected by his peers in the industry. He also enjoyed watching the next generation take over the family run business. Throughout his life, Mark served on various boards such as Sun-Maid Growers of California, Western Diocese Armenian Church Camp, and Fresno State Bulldoggers Rodeo Team. One of Mark's great achievements was receiving the 2017 Farmer of the Year Award by the Sanger Chamber of Commerce. Mark was generous to anyone he came across and was always willing to help others in any way he could. Mark was notorious for his great sense of humor, quick wit, his ability to see the future and his love for his mountain ranch. He was a perfectionist in everything that he did and always strived to be the best. Mark is survived by his wife, Cheri Melkonian, of 36 years, his children, Philip Melkonian and his wife Elyssa, Shelli Melkonian and Michael Melkonian, his grandson Jack Melkonian, his brother, Dennis Melkonian and his wife Victoria. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Suren and Violet Melkonian and brother Douglas Melkonian. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at First Armenian Presbyterian Church, 430 S. First Street, Fresno, CA 93702. Services will be held at First Armenian Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to FAPC or donor's favorite charity.