Melvin Maurice Millsap

Melvin (Mel) Maurice Millsap Jr. was born to Mable Enloe Millsap and Melvin Maurice Millsap Sr. in St. Louis, Missouri on May 13, 1927. He died Christmas morning, 2019, at his daughter’s residence. Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Brandhorst Millsap, and brother, Donald Millsap. He is survived by his daughter, Lynn Millsap Clark (Jim), of Payson, AZ; son, Peter K. Millsap (Marla), of Phoenix, AZ; sister, Mary Hudgins, of Phoenix, AZ; and nieces and nephews.

Mel was summoned by the U.S. Navy in his last year of high school to work on radar. While stationed in Shanghai, China, he helped guide planes of many nations to land on a treacherous, pockmarked runway. Mel often quipped that he had ended World War II because as he shipped out aboard the USS Rolette and was in route, the war did indeed conclude.

On arriving home from the war, Mel sought out his sweetheart, Shirley E. Brandhorst. Married on June 28, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, they were inseparable for 68 years. Mel took loving care of Shirley during the last six years of her life when she suffered an extended illness.

Mel pursued his talent in art at Washington University in St. Louis, Carnegie Tech in Pittsburg and the Kansas City Art Institute. Mel then worked as an illustrator at McDonnell Aircraft. After the family moved to Phoenix in the early ‘60s, Mel served as art director at Goodyear Aerospace for 27 years.

He was a very active, accomplished and loving man who inspired others to pursue similar lives of creativity. Mel excelled at painting landscapes, western scenes and other genres, selling many of his works at area galleries. Also a talented author, he wrote, illustrated and published two children’s books.

Among his lifelong interests were boats and ships of all kinds. He built several wooden sailboats, including model replicas of various vessels. He also owned and restored numerous vintage foreign sports cars over the years. Later in life, he bought his dream car--a 1947 MG TC. He was fond of driving it with the top down and his little dog in the wingman’s seat.

Mel led a full and interesting life. Adored by friends and family, he will be profoundly missed for his talent, humor and wit, as well as for his compassionate and loving personality.