Captain Earl Stuart Mealins

Captain Earl Stuart Mealins



Captain Earl Stuart Mealins passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in Torrance, California surrounded by his family. He was born on January 8, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to his parents George and Divona (Wind) Mealins. Over his life, he lived in many places including Illinois, Minnesota, Connecticut, New York, Alabama and California. He was a proud alumnus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, class of 1963, and graduated with the rank of Lieutenant in the US Navy. After college he sailed the world as an officer on merchant ships for 10 years, eventually attaining the top rank of Captain. Upon "coming ashore" he continued to work in the maritime industry, ultimately becoming the President of West Coast Shipping company, a subsidiary of Unocal.

Earl is survived by his first and only wife of 44 years, Kathleen (LeBeau) Mealins, the children with whom he was well pleased, daughter Amy Mealins and son Jason Mealins, daughter-in-law Kimberly (Burke) Mealins, two adorable grandsons Wyatt Richard and Grant Earl Mealins, brother Brian Mealins, sister-in-law Cyndie Renfrew, and sister-in-law Kay (Fleming) Mealins, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his oldest brother Bruce Mealins.

Earl was a man of many passions. He was a world traveler that started with his sailing career (seeing at least 3 blocks off the water front of most countries), and then with his wife who showed him the rest. He was an avid reader, runner and bicyclist and enjoyed researching and "playing" the stock market. He was a proud alumni and board member of the USMMA Los Angeles/Long Beach Chapter and a supporter and one-time President of the Torrance Sister Cities Association. He was a distinguished Toastmaster and served various capacities within the organization, especially enjoying mentoring new members. He loved to tell stories and jokes (often over, and over, and over again), and he never met a person he didn't want to talk to. He enjoyed sharing his passion of reading and storytelling with various pre-school children in the South Bay area. But most of all, he enjoyed ending the day in his backyard with friends and family and a nice glass of gin.

Services will be held at First Lutheran Church in Torrance on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 12:30pm, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (https://www.usmmaaf.com) and the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate). Please sign the guest book, www.dailybreeze.com/obits.