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Obituaries
Melvin Terry Brooks
Melvin Terry Brooks, 61, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away on August 7, 2023. Mel was born to Edwin and Virginia Brooks on July 8, 1962. He graduated from Warwick High School in 1980. While in high school, Mel found joy in being a puppeteer with Rainbow Puppets and worked with them for over 20 years. Mel found a career with Southern Plumbing and worked for them for over 30 years. He also worked part-time at National Exterminating for over 20 years. He enjoyed his work at both places and will be dearly missed by his friends and coworkers.
Mel was very passionate about his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Chapter C, that he was a member of. Mel loved going on rides and doing ice cream runs with his friends in the chapter, as well as with his longtime girlfriend, Norma. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and looked forward to the start of each season. Mel was most passionate about his friends and family, loving spending time with them above everything else.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Virginia Brooks, his wife, Debi, and his brother Richard B. Brooks. He is survived by his stepson Paul Kuchta, wife Katherine, granddaughter Karla, grandson Joseph, longtime girlfriend Norma Farr, sister Bonnie James, husband Michael, niece Christina Shawen, husband Chris, great niece Morgan Shawen, brother Edwin Brooks, wife Nancy, their sons Lee and Scott, brother Donald Brooks and his children Steven and Sandra, special friends Barb, David and Fred, as well as many dear friends.
Mel was a kind, gentle man, a teddy bear who never met a stranger. He was loved by everyone he met, had a smile that would light up a room, and had a heart of gold.
In celebration of his life, his family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian or floral shirt in honor of Mel’s favorite attire. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations to be made in his name to The Fisher House, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852-1650 (https://fisherhouse.org).
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.
16 Comments
I met Mel and worked with him at the Hilton Crown gas station and later Buxton Crown Gas station where I was a shift manager. We remained friends over the years and I appreciated having him as a fan of several of my bands. He was a wonderful and gentle soul and will be missed. RIP my friend.
I was shocked when I heard of his passing. Mel always had a smile on his face and never knew a stranger. He would always work the dart game at Fall Sprawl. I looked forward to seeing him all the time because of his great personality. Everyone loved Mel. He will be greatly missed.
We knew Mel through the Gold Wing (GWRRA) for many years. Mel was a fine gentleman and we are proud to have known him. Mel was a very laid back quiet person who was liked by all.
I don’t think I ever saw Mel without a smile on his face. We had many great conversations that I will cherish, and I loved talking to him about motorcycles and watching his face light up. I am grateful to have crossed paths with him in life. He is dearly missed.
My condolences to Norma and Mel’s family. He was such a great person! A big teddy bear and loved by everyone! He will be greatly missed. 💜
Norma,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mel was one of a kind, he was the best!
May God bless you with peace of mind.
I had the pleasure to hang out with Mel on numerous occasions. He was such a sweet soul, nice & fun loving man. He will be greatly missed. Much love to Norma and his family.
We always enjoyed seeing, talking and riding the Gold Wings with Mel. Having just seen him a couple of weeks ago this is a real shock. He was a great person and will be missed by all who knew him. We will ride together again one day on the streets of gold.
Mel had a special warmth and the endearing trait of having never met a stranger. His care and compassion for others was completely unparalleled. He was consistently kind and a true example for others to mirror. We had the honor of having him in our work family and miss him dearly. May God bless and keep Mel, his family and his friends.
Mel was a great man and was always smiling, he was caring and always has been has long as I know him. When I was 17 years old he worked at the crown gas station, I came and said Mel I need you to teach me how to read a map and I need to know now because I am on my way out of town.. So with his help I made it to where I was going and came back all because my dear friend was a great teacher.. a few weeks ago, my husband and took a trip and on are way we stop in a visitor center and I got a map and opened it up and I told that story of how I learned to read the map. Mel will be missed by many. Mel we will see you again my friend.
This is so surprising I’m going to miss now he was an absolute giant amongst gentlemen never was he anything but kind and given to anybody that met him, although I know if you mention ice cream he might be a little bit nicer. I pray God hold you tight Norma God bless you and the family. We will meet again buddy.🙏❤️🩹
I’ve known Mel since I taught him General Math
at Warwick High School in 1979. Our paths crossed again when he worked for me at the Crown stations in Hilton and Buxton. He liked working nights and after his shift we would talk about a anything and everything.I was in a classic rock band called “the Spice Band” and Mel was a great supporter, even when we played at some seedy establishments.
Mel stayed in touch with me over the years and I must admit that it wasn’t so easy, mainly because I was neglogent in responding (texting drives me batty). I can only say that I’ll miss my old friend for a long time.
Mel will be so missed. I still can’t believe this. I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a beautiful soul.
So sad to hear of Mel’s passing. He was a great and loyal friend to my kids for many decades and always wonderful to me when I had an opportunity to visit with him. Everybody who knew Mel thought the world of him. He’ll be missed by so many.
One of the kindest and most caring person I knew was Mel. His smile was infectious and his hugs were comforting with warmth and love. Loved the rides he took me on when I first moved to VA showing me around. I will miss Mel. He was a rare gem and a great friend. Peace and comfort to the family with love and blessings.
Joe and I were saddened to learn of Mel’s passing. As others have already mentioned, Mel was always smiling. He will truly be missed by all that knew him.