Melvin Lovelace Barbee

Born September 30th, 1959 to James Allen and Virginia Mae of Yorktown, Virginia. Mel grew up in a loving household with two sisters, Kitty, Anne Wray and an older brother, Jay. He attended Tabb High school and later pursued his education at the University of Virginia, where he received a full baseball scholarship. He graduated with degrees in economics and psychiatry.

Mel loved his family, baseball and talking. His love for talking led him to a successful career in sales at Carpenter Company. Throughout his professional life, he traveled extensively, exploring many parts of the world with his customers, who became some of his closest friends. Mel also managed to turn his profession into a daily golfing routine with his best friends.

Mel’s greatest accomplishment in life came when his daughter, Daryl was born in 1990. He was the girl dad that people write books about, he was wrapped around her finger. He was later blessed with a second girl, his God daughter, Terra then he became a girl dad times two. His girls were his entire life. He would never miss a sports game, and was always the parent bringing lunch to their school tables. Mel's life revolved around his girls until his two greatest treasures, his grandchildren, Collins and Nora were born. They immediately became his purpose. He was born to be a father and a grandfather. No grandparent was capable of spoiling more than Mel Barbee. Mel was also lucky enough to get a son, Graham, who was so similar to himself, selfless and fun and who spent much of his downtime helping make Mel's life easier.

Mel was not only passionate about family but also an avid dog lover. He was so lucky to have his companion Parker. Everyone who knows him knows Parker was his most loyal (and fiesty) friend.

There are so many people who love him and consider him their best friend. He was so lucky with the most amazing caregivers, Rosa and Greg who were his friends, not employees.

He was beyond loved by all that knew him, especially his family, his father, sisters, brother and his brother in law Kris, who took a special stance in helping to make sure Mel had all of the greatest healthcare, his kids, grandkids, Vickie, Nicole, Cole, Tyler, Brock, storm, Maddie as well as numerous god children.

Despite battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Mel surpassed and even doubled the life expectancy, which we know was a testament of his refusal give up due to his unwavering love of his family and grandchildren. We rejoice in the fact that he is in a better place, playing endless golf and talking everyone’s ears off, while watching over all that loved him.

Mel was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Mae, his grandparents Madeline Lovelace, Melvin Lovelace, Esther Barbee and James Allen Barbee. He was also proceeded in death by Roland and Norean Cantu and Rikki Cantu.

We will have a Celebration of Life at Highland Park Lutheran Church, 705 Hammond Ave, San Antonio, TX, 78210, on Monday, July 22nd at 10 am. This will be followed by lunch and continued celebrations at the Cantu's house. The family would love everyone to attend.

Please consider donating to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy foundation. This is a horrendous disease with no current cure:https://www.psp.org/ways-to-give