Melvin Everette Dunson

at home surrounded by his wife and loving family. He was born on March 22, 1940 to

William R. Dunson Jr. and Edith M. Dunson (McFarlan) in Brooklyn, New York and was

the third of six children. Melvin (Mel) attended Franklin K. Lane High and after moving to

the Bronx attended School Roosevelt High School. After graduation, he worked for the

New York City Housing Authority for several years. Mel began his career as a Sanitation

police officer on the streets of New York City. He later advanced to special assistant to

Deputy Commissioner, Witty McNeil, and then special assistant to the Commissioner of

Sanitation under the administration of Mayor John Lindsay. He proudly served the New

York City Department of Sanitation for over twenty years. During that time, Mel was

elected Vice President of the Negro Benevolent Society and also held office in the

department’s fraternal order for African American workers. After retiring from the police

department, Mel relocated to Los Angeles, California where he cared for his elderly

grandfather. Thereafter he began a second career in the Motion Picture Industry with

credited in films such as Hollow Man, Sunset Beat, and many other films. Mel was a

passionate man who loved his family dearly. Some of his proudest moments were

working security for Diane Carole at Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream”

speech in Washington, DC; seeing his son, Billy, graduate from trucking school; attending

Ebony, Amber and Lacie’s ballet performances with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Mel

enjoyed cooking and would tweak recipes until he perfected them. He made the best

gourmet pizza, beef patties and cream puffs. Fishing, traveling, watching sports, listening

to Jazz and playing video games are among his favorite past times. Mel had a wonderful

sense of humor. He was hilarious and enjoyed making people laugh. To some he was known

as the “tickle monster”. Children loved him as he would play with them, and make up fun

creative games. Melvin leaves many cherished memories to his adoring wife, Michelle Dunson,

sons William (Billy) Dunson and Melvin (Rick) Dunson along with his Sister Millicent Powell

and brother Richard Dunson, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and

friends. He is preceded in death by his mother and father; grandparents on both sides; sister

Geraldine Ashby; brothers, William R. Dunson III, and Roger Dunson. Friends and family, let’s

celebrate the gift the life of Melvin Everette Dunson has brought us!

Mel’s favorite idioms, sayings and quotes.

“Bada-bing, bada-boom!”

(an exclamation to emphasize that something will happen effortlessly and predictably)

“If “ifs” and “buts” were candy and nuts, we’d all have a wonderful Christmas.

“What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”

(A retort to an irrelevant suggestion)

“There’s a means to every end.”

(encouraging advice)

“Walk away!”