Melvin ‘Mel’ Orin Potter; 1935-2025

Melvin Orin Potter, age 90, peacefully passed away at home with his family by his side on Feb. 22. He was born on Jan. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the son of Royal and Josephine (Wise) Potter. Mel married the love of his life, Winifred (Wendy) Edith Carr, in 1954 and last May they were able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. Together they had three children: Patty, JoLynn and Sherry. 

Mel was the president of the Potter & Son, Inc. cranberry marsh in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, a marsh that was founded by his grandfather in 1880. Mel was also partial owner in the Dubay Cranberry Co. and the City Point Cranberries LLP marshes. Mel loved spending his summers in Wisconsin. 

Mel was also the owner of the Potter Ranch in Marana, AZ. They specialize in breeding performance quarter horses. Under Mel, the breeding program was able to produce an unprecedented six-world champion barrel horses in a 13-year span. 

Mel loved rodeo and was able to compete at the first National Finals Rodeo in Dallas, TX, in the event of calf roping. He went on to have a successful rodeo producing company called Rodeos Inc. Four of Mel’s horses won bucking horse of the year. Eventually, Mel was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Hall of Fame and was also the recipient of the coveted “Legend” award. 

Mel is survived by his two daughters, JoLynn (Potter) Alexander and Sherry (Potter) Cervi; his two sons-in-laws, George Alexander and Cory Petska; three grandchildren, Patsy Alexander, Roy Alexander and Ryan Alexander and their spouses, Mariann (Post) Alexander and Adrianna (Andreini) Alexander; and eight great-grandchildren, Jace Alexander, Trent Alexander, Kate Alexander, Paige Alexander, Brooks Alexander, John Bassett, Payton Alexander and Rhen Alexander.