Melvin Joseph, 51; Decorated War Veteran

Melvin (Joe) Joseph, an Oxnard resident and Vietnam veteran, died suddenly at work Friday of a heart attack. He was 51.

Born April 25, 1944, in Culver City, Joseph spent most of his life in Ventura County, working for the county and several school districts.

He served in the Navy for 10 years, completing three tours of duty in Vietnam. He was shot in the back while trying to rescue several men, according to his wife, Jeanette Joseph. In another incident, he was shot in the face and required reconstructive surgery.

His valor earned him the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.

“He was very proud of being in the service, proud of what he’d done,” she said.

After leaving the military, Joseph began working for the county as a maintenance mechanic. He later became director of maintenance facilities, first for the county, then for the Oxnard Union High School District. After a stint doing the same job in Duarte, he came to work at the Port Hueneme Unified School District.

Outside of work, Joseph belonged to a model airplane club and used to fly remote-controlled biplanes near Lake Casitas.

Jeanette Joseph described her husband as a kind and brave man. “If there was an accident on the freeway, he would be the first one out of the car taking charge.”

Survivors also include his daughters, Barbra Chaffee of Camarillo and Danielle Joseph of Oxnard; sisters Linda Meyers of Palmdale and Gayle Betts of Lancaster; brother Danny Joseph of Texas and father Melvin Joseph of Palmdale.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ted Mayr Funeral Home of Ventura.