Melvin “Mel” Potts, 85, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 3rd, 2022.

Melvin was born in Salina, Kansas on July 30, 1937, a son of the late Erna Margreht (Bonin) and Elmer Henry Potts.

Mel owned and operated Bob’s Auto Repair and he was very well known as a race car driver at Salina Speedway.

On February 19, 1988, Mel married Joanne D. Walle in Salina.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne; daughter, Jennifer Swanson (Scott), of Peachtree City, Georgia; three sons, Bob Potts (Peggy), of Salina, Mitch Potts, of Falun, Jon Potts, of Salina; two step sons, Lonnie Abel, of Overland Park, and Randall Abel, of Salina; sister-in-law, Kathy Potts, of Salina.

He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Jessica Potts, Melanie Griffith (Zach), Mandy Traskowsky, Melissa Potts, Jet Swanson; 6 great grandchildren, Landon, Kynlee, Brekken, Hayden, Lane, Brody.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Sandra “Sissy” Potts; brother, Doug Potts

Cremation has been chosen.

Family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 18th at Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home & Crematory in Salina.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The American Heart Association, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.