Melvin Malone Mitchell

Melvin Malone Mitchell passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the age of 94. Melvin was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 31, 1931, to Iris and George William (G.W.) Mitchell. He spent an idyllic childhood growing up in Alamo Heights with summer time spent at Camp Rio Vista and made many trips to the family coast house in Aransas Pass. He attended Alamo Heights schools, where he graduated from high school at the age of 16. From there, he went to the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M), where he majored in Civil Engineering and graduated #2 in his Civil Engineering class of 1952. During his time at A&M, he was a proud member of the B Engineers Outfit in the Corps of Cadets and served as a Ross Volunteer.

Melvin met the love of his life, Yeola Steed, on a blind date at the Seven Oaks Resort on Austin Highway in the summer of 1950. After graduating from college, Melvin joined the US Army and went to Officer Training School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he became an officer in the Corps of Engineers (COE). He shipped out to Germany with the COE, where he helped with post-war rebuilding efforts. Yeola and Melvin dated throughout college and wrote letters to each other during his time in the Army. After returning stateside, Melvin attended Yeola’s graduation from SMU and they married a few weeks later on June 18, 1955, which also happened to be his great-grandparents’ wedding anniversary.

Shortly after getting married, Yeola and Melvin moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where Melvin earned a Master’s of Civil Engineering from MIT and their first son, Lane, was born. After finishing his master’s degree, their family returned to San Antonio, where they settled down and welcomed two more sons: Bill, born in 1958, and Andy, in 1963. Melvin went to work at his family’s construction firm, G.W. Mitchell & Sons General Contractor. He and Yeola built a home on Woodridge Drive in 1960, where they raised their three sons and hosted many wonderful family gatherings for generations. They enjoyed travel, especially trips to their beloved Texas coast for fishing, swimming, and boating. Yeola and Melvin were married for 65 wonderful years until her passing in 2021.

A brilliant mind, Melvin was dedicated to his work. In his 67-year career with GW Mitchell Construction, he helped build churches, hospitals, office buildings, schools, and more. Some of his most noteworthy projects included Villita Assembly Hall, South Texas Medical School (now UT Health Science Center), Villa Rosa Hospital, Trinity University Laurie Auditorium, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, and the Roof Raising on the Arena for the Spurs, among many others.

Melvin was devoted to his Christian faith. He studied scripture in Bible Study Fellowship and was an active member of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, where he participated in Sunday School, served as Chairman of Building and Grounds, the Administrative Board, the Building Committee, and the Sacristy Committee. He also served on the Committee on Church Location and Building for the United Methodist Church, San Antonio District.

Melvin was exceptionally involved in civic and social organizations. He served as President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), President of the Builders' Exchange of Texas, Chairman of the City of San Antonio Board of Appeals, Texas Carpenter's Pension Fund, Texas Carpenter's Welfare Fund, and American Arbitration Association.

An active member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, Melvin especially enjoyed bowling with the Rotary Bowling League (of which he was also President). He was a member of the San Antonio Power Squadron, where he served as Educational Officer, and loved bowling with their league as well. He was also involved in the Alamo Regional Science Fair (Treasurer), Conopus Club, the Revelers Dance Club (President), Los Alegradores Dance Club (President), The Town Club (Vice President), San Antonio Country Club, and Christmas Cotillion Club.

An Aggie through and through, Melvin served as the President of the San Antonio A&M Club, contributed to Texas A&M University’s 12th Man Foundation, and was an avid Texas A&M football fan and season ticket holder.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and his wife. He is survived by his sons – Lane (Charlotte), Bill (Margaret) and Andy (Leah). Melvin is also survived by his eight grandchildren – Erin Clementson (Brandon), Will Mitchell (Melissa), Cara Adams (Jack), Morgan Petersen (Dane), Matt Mitchell (Vaughn), Brian Mitchell, Molly Schluter (Eric), and Drew Mitchell (Mary). He has 16 great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life for Melvin on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 11:00 am at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209. His eight grandchildren are serving as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church (https://ahumc.org/), or San Antonio A&M Club Scholarship Foundation (https://www.aggiepark.com/donate.html).

For those unable to attend Melvin's, you may watch the livestreaming from this link:

https://www.ahumc.org/service-live/

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