Melvin Merrill Mowbray

Melvin is survived by his wife Mary of 67 years, his daughter Cecilia (her husband Carlos), as well as his sons Robert (his daughter Aarin), Alan (his wife Teresa), and John (his wife Amy and three sons Benjamin, Jacob, and David).

Melvin was born and raised in Shenandoah, VA in the valley of the same name between his beloved Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains. Always proud of his native Virginia, he dreamed of a larger world beyond the confines of his surroundings and so joined the Navy in 1931 at the age of 17. Having only known hard work on the family farm while also holding down numerous jobs at a delicatessen, a barber shop, and paperboy, he thought boot camp was a vacation.

Melvin excelled in the Navy and eventually obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer before retiring in 1961 after 30 years of service. During his early service, he flew with dignitaries such as Winston Churchill and Adm. John McCain, Sr. He would go on to earn the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He also worked in the Civil Service for twenty years.

One fateful assignment Melvin had was to Placentia Naval Base in Newfoundland where he met Mary. They married within a year and would go on to have 67 years of blissful marriage.

Melvin embodied the ideals of the Chief Petty Officer’s Creed which could be read as an epitaph to his life: he was trustworthy, responsible, dedicated and patriotic. He accepted challenges with dignity and determination, knowing that these only strengthened him.

While ramrod straight and tough as nails, he was a compassionate and loving man. Anyone lucky enough to call him “friend” knew he would always be there for them and give them the shirt off his back. As a husband, he was devoted and loving. As a father, he was stern but caring. To all, he was “The Chief”.

Per Melvin’s wishes, there will not be a visitation, viewing or funeral service. A short memorial celebration will be held at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home located at 1701 Beach Boulevard Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 at 1 pm, Sunday December 18th.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that you continue their father’s love and support of the military by making a donation to the Melvin M. and Mary E. Mowbray Endowment Scholarship at the University of North Florida. The scholarship was established to support the educational needs of enlisted personnel and their dependents. Donations can be made by care of the Military and Veterans Resource Center, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Dr., Bldg. 57 or go to www.unf.edu.

“Fair winds and following seas,” Melvin.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Beaches Chapel, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. (904) 249-2374. www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com or www.dignitymemorial.com