Attributed oral history · Spoken testimonies and preserved memory
Family Stories and Recollections
History is kept in two ways: in the paper documents someone stamped or filed, and in the stories someone stood up and told. This section preserves the spoken recollections of the Waldrip family.
Every account here is held as an attributed recollection with the evidence state told. We record who spoke, their relationship to the family, when and where the telling occurred, and what physical recording preserves the voice. Nothing here is promoted to a documented fact without independent confirmation.
Oral History Standard
The testimonies below were recorded at the memorial service of John Melvin Waldrip on 3 January 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona, or contributed through living descendants. Each story links to its complete transcript, subject records, and archival references.
Living family members who wish to contribute their own recollections can sign in with theHistorian.
Spoken Testimonies with Preserved Audio
Direct excerpts cut from the 2026 Phoenix memorial recording with native playback
- ToldRecollection2 min 10 s
The Oral Origin in Phoenix
Told by Diana Deen (Janice's daughter, deacon in the Episcopal Church) on 2026-01-03
And so I want to talk about we the Waldrips. Because we the Waldrips are people of strength and courage, vitality and vision, who throughout history have chosen to live on the frontiers of change and led progress believing in possibilities. From the beginning of our history, this family has taken risks and we've lived through amazing challenges. You know, we first arrived in the United States in the year 1608 with the second supply ship to the newly formed Jamestown, Virginia. Not long after that, our ancestors actually joined the first communities of both Massachusetts and Virginia. Our first namesake relative, Michael Waldrop, obviously that changed later on, came from Scotland through England to the New World in 1670. As a young man in his early 20s, a difficult voyage at best in a place and time of uncertainty requiring great courage. All of our relatives at that time were members of the first legislative assembly of our country. They were peers and contemporaries to people like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and others. We've been captured by Indians and escaped. We fought in the American Revolution. We bought and sold slaves. We fought in the Civil War. We served as Texas Rangers. And so we are pioneers who have traveled west in covered wagons. Marvin said the other day, we're the first generation, his generation, the first one not raised in horses, on horseback, right? We are English. We are Scottish. We are Irish. And even though it's highly remembered and yet to be proven, we are Native American too. And some of our ancestors are famous or infamous for their acts in U.S. history. And so ours is the story of America. So we are a large family, as you can tell.
- ToldRecollection1 min 5 s
Can I Have My Own Twenty Dollars?
Told by Rick Waldrip (Melvin's son) on 2026-01-03
I remember one silly story about dad. He was at Telephone Warehouse and I wasn't working there at the time. I was working at CCI. But I came to have lunch with him one day. And if you all remember where Telephone Warehouse was down in McDowell, it was pretty seedy. You know, it got to be a pretty seedy area. And so I went in to pick up dad and go to lunch. And this old gal from next door, I think it was a gun shop or something, she walks in and she's just literally all strung out and, you know, missing half of her hair and made about 85 pounds. And, you know, she walks in and she's like, Mal, can I have my own $20? And dad's like, sure, whatever. You know, Sharon reaches into his pocket, gives her 20 bucks and she's like, thanks, heads back out the door. And so we're ready to go to lunch. I was like, dad, why did you loan her $20? You'll never get that back. And he said, son, everybody's worth $20. You know? If he doesn't. Right, right. So, you know, it just, that's who he was. And, you know, he kind of ended up penniless, you know, at the end of his life. And that's because he kind of gave it all away. And hey, I did buy telephone rounds.
- ToldRecollection39 s
He Was My Hero
Told by Ellen Waldrip (Marvin's oldest daughter, Melvin's niece) on 2026-01-03
So I would be out there and play in the games, and Melvin would come out, and I'd see him talking to all the boys, you know. And I said, what is he saying? And he's saying, they said, be careful with you, you know. And it kind of made me mad, like, no, I'm as tough as they are, you know. And so I said to Melvin, I said, I'm as tough as they are. I can take it, you know. And he said, oh, I know you are. He said, I wasn't telling them for your sake. I was telling them that for their sake. And it made me feel good. I was like, all right. You know, he knew I was tough. And I wasn't Ellen to him. I was smelling Ellen.
- ToldRecollection41 s
Pieces of Them in All of Us
Told by Jason Waldrip (Melvin's grandson, Rick's son) on 2026-01-03
hi i'm jason waldrip i'm rick's son and mel's grandson um sitting up here just hearing everyone i'm thinking about how many pieces of mel and marvin just exist in all of us today and just thinking about how much of that got passed down to my dad and and rob and everyone else i mean the same generosity came from both my dad and rob i got a start in tech because of rob you know and and you know all this generosity of putting your hand out and helping your family really comes a long way and um i'm just really grateful uh i see a lot of myself and and grandpa i have that joy and that i just love to make people laugh
The Memorial Song
"It's a Lonelier World" composed and performed by Michael Fitzgerald Waldrip
It's a Lonelier World
Composed and performed by Michael Fitzgerald Waldrip (Marvin's son, Melvin's nephew)
Two days after the memorial service, the family published a memorial video for Melvin. The song under it, 'It's a Lonelier World', was written by Michael Fitzgerald Waldrip: Marvin's son, Melvin's nephew, seven generations down the line from Michael Waldrip of Tennessee. It is the only musical work preserved in this archive.
Memorial Service Testimonies
Transcribed spoken recollections from family members and friends at the service
- ToldRecollection20:17 to 20:48
Forty Years on McDowell
Told by Rick Waldrip (Melvin's son)
And, you know, in doing so, you know, he started a little telephone warehouse. Now, quick show of hands, how many people in this room have ever worked for, been employed for, been on the payroll of telephone warehouse, said, keep going, keep going, keep going. Yeah, look at that. And, you know, it's, for some people it was a summer job or something while they were in college. But for a lot of us, it was a career.
- ToldRecollection30:02 to 30:40
Wit and Mischief
Told by Shannon (Family friend)
I think we can all agree Mel was unique and unforgettable. I'll always remember his grit, his wit, and sometimes the fact he was completely full of shit. And honestly, I think he would love that. When someone like Mel passes, it's hard to know the right way to honor them. He wasn't especially sentimental or serious. So I think the best way to honor Mel is simple. Make someone laugh. I hope you join me today in going forward. Bring a little laughter into the world, preferably with a dash of mischief.
- ToldRecollection39:43 to 40:12
Mirror Twins and Fistfights
Told by Marvin Waldrip (Melvin's twin brother)
I just tell you that he was a wonderful twin. Left-handed, not right-handed. Politics, we were opposite sides. We were mirror-twenties. And we had a wonderful life together. And fights, we used to get in fights. Some guy, I remember one time, he knew this guy was going to hit him. And the guy, you didn't know he was left-handed. And he popped in so hard the first time.
- ToldRecollection40:52 to 42:41
The Family Closeness
Told by Ann Waldrip (Marvin's wife, Melvin's sister-in-law)
Melvin's sister-in-law. Many years. That's right. Just to give you an idea of how interesting Melvin was. Marvin and I were married. And I was hanging out with Mel and Elaine. Marvin was in basic training, I think. And I told him I had to get going because I was going home to watch a movie with my folks. And Melvin said, oh, what movie? And so I said, Barefoot Contest, that's what it was. And he said, oh, I saw that movie. Let me tell you the end. So I proceeded to say, don't you dare. Don't you dare. And he just started talking. And he wound up telling me the end. Which I was sure he wouldn't do. But I went home that night. And I'm sitting with my parents. And as I watch it, I watch it. And it's starting to sound like maybe he actually told me the end of this movie. And he did. It gives you some idea of how fun he really was. He just was a rest. It was a good word for him. Yeah. Anyway, I had so many memories with these two twins. I can't even start to tell you. But it was a beautiful thing to watch. It was a beautiful thing to watch their love. It's a form not most of us experience. But the closeness is amazing. And my father told me when I met Marvin, don't ever try to get between that. And I don't think I ever did.
- ToldRecollection43:08 to 44:42
Getting Into Telecom
Told by Rob Waldrip (Melvin's son)
I'm Rob Waldrip. I'm number three son. My dad's favorite. I just want to get up here. I've got a ton of stories. I have probably, well, most of the stories I can't tell. But, you know, my dad got divorced or left when I was about 13. And, you know, growing up, I have not as many memories as I'd like, but some of them are really good. But he was just so different as a dad. Like, I mean, he would help me, show me how to take a bottle rocket and point it at the neighbor's house. I remember one day I told him that we toilet papered somebody's house. And he's like, well, did you wet it with water? I'm like, you know, why? And he's just eating all the shit like that to do it. But, you know, my years, I wish we had more time together. But I was fortunate. He got me my first job in telecom for a company called Tim's. And that lasted about three months because I was colorblind. And then he hired me a telephone warehouse. And I worked with him for nine years straight every day. And we became best friends. I have a lot of memories. I know a lot of stuff I probably shouldn't know. But I'm forever grateful for the memories and then him getting me into telecom in, you know, 40 years now, today.
- ToldRecollection47:37 to 47:49
Thirty Years at the Warehouse
Told by Greg Waldrip (Marvin's son)
he just man so genuine genuinely happy you know and i'm grateful they made a career you know for me as well coming up on 30 years at the telephone warehouse so i love uncle mount and i appreciate it
- ToldRecollection06:28 to 06:54
Seventeen Cousins on My Mom's Side
Told by Diana Deen (Janice's daughter)
Recently, I shared a story and a message that I am the second oldest of 17 cousins just on my mom's side. And that growing up, I knew many generations of my grandparents, my aunts and my uncles, my great-aunts and uncles, and my great-great-aunts and uncles. But in our generation, there was a posse of us Waldrip grandkids, right? Most of whom now have their own grandkids. And we know each other.