Leonard William "Tugboat" Melvin

Leonard William Melvin (Tugboat) 87, Camby, passed away peacefully November 8, 2016. Leonard was born June 30, 1929 in Freeport, Florida to Hilliard P. Melvin and Ethel I. (King) Melvin. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Hilliary I. (Eldrige), and brother Bruce A. Melvin, and oldest son James David Melvin.

He attended school in Freeport. He studied piano and violin at the Masonic Children’s Home. He worked as a cook and deckhand on a tugboat off of Grande Isle, Louisiana. He met Grace Payk there who was working as a waitress at a local restaurant/dance hall. They dated for about a year and were married in 1951 at Fairfield Friends Church, Camby, Indiana. On March 17, 2001 their children honored them with a surprise 50th Anniversary Dinner Party.

Leonard worked for Indianapolis Power & Light for 41 ½ years. He won the only 20 Year Safety award as a Mechanical Millwright Foreman, in the company history. He retired from Indianapolis Power & Light in 1991 after 41 ½ years. He was a Cold War Patriot, Lumineers member of retirees, an IBEW union member and union steward at Indianapolis Power & Light. He was a National Rifle Association lifetime member. He was a member of Friendswood Baptist Church.

Leonard enjoyed teaching his children to crab and fish, and going for boat rides during many family vacations in Florida. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, gardening, traveling and taking photos. He valued and enjoyed quality time with his family and friends. He made sure his children attended Sunday school on a regular basis. He taught his children by example honesty and a good work ethic. Precious memories of Leonard will be cherished by his loving wife, a loving family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Grace (Payk) Melvin, children L. Daniel (Danny) Melvin of Camby, Teresa (Melvin) Gribble and Gary of Seattle, Rebecca Case of Mooresville, and Ben Melvin of Camby; grandchildren Kenny, Jennifer, Shauna; Jeremy and Angela; Emily, Dustin, Tara; Benji, and 11 great grandchildren.

Family and Friends will gather to Celebrate the Life of Leonard William Melvin on Saturday November 19th, 2016, 3-5p.m. at Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Mooresville, IN Calling will be from 3-4p.m. with a Celebration of Life Memorial from 4-5p.m. A reception and meal, for family and friends will immediately follow at Friendswood Baptist Church, Camby.