Lucile B. Melcher

LUCILE B. MELCHER, of Houston, passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday morning, the 5th of May 2004. A native Houstonian, she was 92. Lucile Melcher was a Houston philanthropist who supported many worthwhile causes. But to those who knew her, she was so much more than that. Lucile was a smart, tough, hardworking woman, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved to paint, to cheer on the Houston Texans, and to dress western at the "Fatstock Show," as she continued to call it. She delighted in her ranch, Mel-Acres, in Chappel Hill and its Dutch Belted cattle. She attended the San Jacinto High School, the University of Tulsa, and had an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of Houston. She will be remembered and missed by all of us who were fortunate to be part of her life. Lucile was preceded in death by her father, Franklin Ovid Birmingham, and her mother, Lida Bell Buckingham. She is also preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Melcher. They were married 64 years before his passing in 1999. Lucile was by LeRoy's side as he developed the UtoteM convenience store chain and later Ranger Markets. Together the Melchers were major donors to numerous Houston institutions and organizations; including The University of Houston, for which the business school building and public television station, KUHT-TV, are named in their honor. They also supported the Houston Police Department through their involvement with the "100 Club." One of their favorite charities was Rodeo Houston, and they purchased Champion Steers at the Junior Market Steer Auction for more than a decade. They were lifetime members of the rodeo, and Lucile attended almost every Rodeo performance. The Melcher's were contributors to the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Rotary International, Child Advocates, the Salvation Army, Citizens for Animal Protection, and MANY others. Lucile continued this philanthropy after her husband's death, and she delighted in being able to help those less fortunate. Much of Houston benefited from her generosity. Lucile is also preceded in death by her two sons, LeRoy Melcher Junior, who died in 1981 and Julius Frank Melcher, who died in 1993. Lucile is survived by her loving daughter, Yvonne Melcher and fiancé, Magic Schwarz; and by daughter-in-law, Janice Dougall Melcher. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren including LeRoy Melcher III and wife, Janet, Pete Melcher, Marc Melcher, Frank Melcher and wife Leigh-Leigh, JoAnn Porter and husband, Randy, Dodd Melcher and wife, Michelle, Trey Melcher and Cody Melcher. She is survived by 13 great-grandchildren whom she loved to spoil; Katie, Paul, Max, Jennifer, Claire, Grace, Chase, Dominique, Lily, Hoyt, Kaylee, Lundy and Wiley. She is known to most of her family simply as "Mama." The Melcher family desires to acknowledge and express their special thanks to those who cared for and helped Lucile; especially, Blanca Fuentes, Norman Marshall, Penny McKee, Bill Lewis, and Richard Kerr. Lucile was truly grateful for all she had and tried to express her thanks by helping others. The family is greatly saddened by her passing, but thrilled to have known, loved, and been loved by this extraordinary woman. A memorial service will be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 10th of May 2004, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with Mr. James L. Patterson as Reader. At the conclusion of the services, the family will receive friends during a reception at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons and a trio from Moores School of Music will perform.