Dr. Bernard James Melia Jr.

Bernard James (BJ, Bernie) Melia, 87 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on August 12, 2021 at Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. BJ was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Bernard and Margaret Melia on October 2, 1933. He graduated from Bishop Lillis High School in 1950 at 16. In 1954 he completed his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at The University of Kansas City. He had to wait to complete his Pharmacy boards until he was 21 and could legally dispense pharmaceuticals. BJ worked his way through medical school as a pharmacist while attending The University of Missouri at Columbia receiving his Doctor of Medicine in 1960. He was an active member of the Phi Beta Pi Medical Fraternity.

He married Mary Martha Becker in February of 1962. Together they had three children Jim, Tom and Maria. BJ was drafted into the Army in 1967 and moved his family to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After being honorably discharged from the Army as a Lt. Colonel, BJ moved his family to Overland Park, Kansas. As a family they were active at Cure’ of Ars family mass. BJ was a boy scout leader with his son’s troops. He enjoyed camping and working with the scouts on merit badge activities.

Dr. Melia began his practice of Dermatology in Prairie Village, Kansas. He was on staff at Advent Health, Overland Park Regional Hospital, and Saint Joseph Medical Center while also serving as a consulting physician at Children’s Mercy Hospital and Kansas City Veterans Hospital. He moved his practice to Kansas City, Missouri in 1980. He retired from the Practice of Dermatology in 2000. His life-long hobbies included travel, gardening, bird watching and tinkering with electronics and other projects. He also enjoyed grilling out for family and friends.

BJ is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Martha; his children Jim Melia, MD (Sandi Hoogland, MD) of Chicago, Tom Melia (Anne) of Prairie Village, Kansas; Maria Melia Baker (Roger), of Mission Kansas; and 8 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister. Funeral Friday, August 20, 2pm at Cure' of Ars Catholic Church 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS. 1:00 pm Visitation, 3:00 pm Reception for family and friends in the Father Burak Room. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Kansas City Hospice House or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgegrandview.com for the Melia family.