Melvin Regis Gress Obituary (2025)

Melvin "Red" Gress passed away peacefully January 22, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He made it four days past his 95th birthday. Red was born to George and Rose Gress on January 18, 1930, in Seneca, Kansas. He was the second of their four children. Red grew up on the family farm outside of Seneca, where there was at least one of every possible farm animal, which meant plenty of chores and work after school. Red attended the Seneca school system and graduated from Seneca Catholic High School in 1947. With relatives already in the valley, Red made the move to Yakima, Washington, in 1948. In 1951, he enlisted in the Washington National Guard, eventually being transferred to the Army division. He did basic training at Ft. Bliss, in Texas, and then transferred to Ft. Lewis, in Washington. Red served two years, before being honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, Red returned to Yakima, working several jobs, always managing to stay employed. While working in the construction business, a contractor offered to teach him the drywall and painting trade. Red excelled in the trade, mainly because of the satisfaction that he received by using his hands, working in new construction, or the ability to give a house a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. Red married Florence Hernandez on February 4, 1956, at St. Paul's Cathedral. They raised four children together, making Yakima their home. Within one year of getting married, Red started his own company "Gress Painting Co.," working for several contractors in the Yakima and Lower Valley area. He was proud of the list of contractors that would call on him to do their drywall and painting needs. He continued to operate the company until his retirement at the end of 1992. After over 35 years of painting in the Yakima area he had built up quite a customer base. He continued to work small jobs for his best customers, who insisted they could not let him retire. Red had too much passion for the job he loved to just quit. During his lifetime, Red was a member of St. Paul's Parish, Knights of Columbus, The Elks, American Legion, and the Veteran of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Yakima Footprinters group, where he served two terms as president, several board positions, and Santa Claus for the Christmas program. In all the groups that Red was a member, he actively participated and donated his time where it was needed. His legacy of kindness, hard work, and generosity will live on in the memories of everyone whose lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Rose Gress, his brothers, Omer and George, a sister, Rosie Olberding, and a son, Mark Anthony Gress. Red is survived by his wife, Florence, daughter, Sherry Gimlin (Wes), and sons, Eric (Dianna) and Mike (Cecelia), as well as eight grandkids and numerous great grandkids. The family would like to thank the staff of Avista Senior Living for their care and kind words towards Red. We would also like to thank Multicare Wound Care and Hospice for their care for Dad at the end. A Celebration of Red's life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 1:00pm, at the Yakima Elks Country Club in Selah, WA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com