John Brooks Mell

John was born on March 25, 1932 in Atlanta, GA, to Robert and Frances Mell; the youngest of the four Mell brothers. John had a happy, generally obedient childhood, loved band (trombone), YMCA summer camps, and the Boy Scouts. He was sent to Hampden DuBose Academy (HDA), a Christian boarding school, in Zellwood, FL. as a 14-year-old Junior. He came to Christ the first week there, and enjoyed his two years of Christian training in that place.

He went to Wheaton College and then began a masters program at Emory University. His study was interrupted by the Korean ‘Police Action’ and his enlisting in the US Coast Guard, commissioned as an Ensign in November, 1953. He reported to his first duty station, the USCG Cutter Bering Strait, in Seattle, Washington. When orders came through for a permanent change of home ports to Honolulu, he proposed to his sweetheart, Beverly Ann Hambrick, and they were married on April 15, 1954, and had a wonderful two-year honeymoon in Hawaii. His son, David, was born there in 1955.

By age 30, John had returned to Atlanta, joined his father’s insurance agency, and had three more children, Connie, Johnny, and Lynne. Beverly went to be with the Lord in 1998.

John later met and married Karan Lamoreaux from Orlando, Florida (2011). They enjoyed traveling, family visits, and church activities together until his death.

John lived a blessed and full life. He will be remembered for his strong faith in God, serving others, and his love of his country, music and singing, puzzle making, parades, fireworks, board games, gardening and sense of humor.

Education:
Hampden DuBose Academy in Zellwood, FL, 1948
Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois – BA Economics and Business Administration, 1952. (“Great School, but terrible weather: cold, snowy winters–a lifetime of snow in 4 years!” He played soccer at Wheaton.)

Military Service:
United States Coast Guard – Commissioned as an Ensign, November, 1953; first duty station, the USCG Cutter Bering Strait, in Seattle, Washington, then to Honolulu, Hawaii.
United States Coast Guard Reserve – Retired as Commander, 1973

Profession:
Mell Insurance Agency – Family Business begun by his father
Earned Professional degree as Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); Later added Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Served as President of GA Association of Professional Insurance Agents, 1972.
Cotter Insurance Agency, insurance consultant serving the members of the True Value (Hardware) Cooperative, calling on stores in GA, SC, NC, and TN; Retired 1995.

Volunteer Work:
Hampden DuBose Academy, Orlando, FL, also served as President, Alumni & Friends of HDA, Inc, 2004-2006
Atlanta, GA: Christian Service Brigade & Chairman of the Board of Deacons, then Ruling Elder at Westminster PCA, Atlanta, Security Officer for the Atlanta Summer Olympics (‘96)
Franklin, NC: Pioneers (Orlando, FL), JAARS, SOWERS (Maine & Texas), Franklin Garden Club, Master Gardeners Ass’n, FreedomWorks, and Macon Pride (an Avid Recycler!), Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts,
Rosman, NC: Ridge Haven Retreat and Conference Center, Served as President, Alumni & Friends of HDA, Inc, 2004-2006

Church Associations:
Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA), Atlanta, GA, First Alliance Church, Franklin, NC, and First Alliance Church, Toccoa, GA

Personal Beliefs:
‘Born Again’ Evangelical Grace Christian with a love for world missions; conservative Republican; Life verses – Ephesians 1:3-8, Philippians 1:21 and Matthew 7:12; Christian Gift – ‘Helps’ (Service to others!)

Preceeded in death by: Beverly Hambrick Mell (wife), and John Robert Mell (son)

Survived by: Wife Karan, David and Ann Mell, Lawrenceville, GA; Connie and Bob Lahl, Atlanta, GA; Lynne and Richard Smith, State College, PA; 7 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren; Wife, Karan, and stepsons, Greg, Ben, and Kyle Lamoreaux; George (brother) Philadelphia, PA

Gifts/Memorial Suggestions:

Ridge Haven Retreat and Conference Center
215 Ridge Haven Road,
Brevard, NC 28712
ridgehaven.org

Hampden DuBose Academy
3700 Dohnavur Drive
Zellwood, FL 32798
hampdenduboseacademy.com