Joel Mele, W4SLH passed today and he will be missed by all lucky enough to know this man. An Elmer to many, Joel always had time to help other Hams. His enthusiasm for our hobby was contageous. A friend has departed.
Joel and I took our novice tests together in high school. He became WN2SLH and I was WN2SLI. Although I haven't seen him in many years, I remember his passion for the hobby in the early days of our ham careers. His rack-mounted SX-117 and HT-44 that he and his father put together was a work of art.
We will all miss the voice of Oriental, North Carolina. Joel Mele, W4SLH, passed much too early. His laughter and helping hands will always be remembered by his friends over the air waves. Joel was always the first to help a fellow ham with a radio project or a personal emergency need. Joel is now with our Heavenly Father, where the streets are paved with gold and big antennas and high power prevail. We all love and miss you my friend.
Dennis W4USR
Joel was a friend ,I never knew him in person,But we were friends through Ham radio.His big signal from NC will allways be remembered as pleasent one.As a fellow member of our 7153 group Joel had a way of lighting up the airwaves with energy.
I will miss you Friend.
TOM
N9ZV
Joel was a true friend of mind. We were working on his tower the day He got sick. I will miss him a lot. He was the best. Jerry K4TOT
Though I only met Joel in the past year, I am fortunate and blessed to have known him, even for a short while. I have tremendous respect for Joel not only for his tremendous drive and passion for our hobby, but in the big hearted and witty way he shared his knowledge. He always demonstrated what you hope to find in the ham radio community. There was never a dull moment with Joel! Surely his presence will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to be befriended by him (Joel is in the blue shirt in the attached picture taken at the 2006 field day along with Hank and Jerry). Larry N4XA