Obituary of Melvin B Rayborn

The Reverend Melvin "Mel" Rayborn was born on January 1, 1932 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Henry and Agnes (Frey) Rayborn. Growing up on a farm south of Twin Falls, Mel attended elementary schools in Pleasant View, Berger and Hollister, graduating from Filer High School in 1950. He met Arlene LeDora "Lee" Jensen while both were attending Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. They were married August 22, 1952 in the Santa Monica, California Church of the Nazarene. Mel graduated from Pasadena Nazarene College in Pasadena, California in 1955. As a lifelong learner, he continued course work through Fresno State College, Orange College (CA), Washington State University, College of Idaho and Idaho State University. He was ordained as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene in 1957. In 1955, the Rayborn's begin pastoring Nazarene churches, and continued for the next 27 years. They pastored in Springville, Ivanhoe, and Atwater, California; Benton City, and Pomeroy, Washington; Kimberly, and Parma, Idaho. Mel was also youth director in the Bellflower, California, Church of the Nazarene for two years. He taught in the public schools for 24 years as a full-time teacher, some of which was overlapped with pastorates. He also substitute taught for a number of years in the public schools. Mel loved working in Nazarene youth camps in California, Washington, Idaho and Utah. He served as counselor, athletic director, chaplain and camp director during a period of 30 years. He was a member of the of the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene where he has served as visitation minister, adult supervisor, and adult teacher. Mel is survived by his wife; children Carol Lynn (James) Burkhart, Cathy (James) Lynch; Randy (Sandy) Rayborn, Rick (Judy) Rayborn; siblings Reverend Virgil Rayborn, Reverend Eldon Rayborn, and Nina (Dwight) Collins; 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Mel was preceded in death by his sisters Fairy Worcester and Opal Bess, parents Henry and Agnes Rayborn; and grandson Bryan Lynch. The family would like to express their thanks to Hospice Visions for the fantastic care that they gave Mel for the last 3 % years. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 5 at the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Rosenau Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at Donations may be made to the Twin Falls First Church of the Nazarene, Summer Camp Scholarships.