Melvin Haynes

1932 - 2016

Melvin Haynes

January 21, 1932-June 3, 2016

Melvin "Mel" Haynes, a longtime San Francisco resident, age 84, died on June 3, 2016, as a result of a fatal automobile accident in Dunigann, California. Mel's passing is a heavy loss to his family, friends and loved ones.

Born on January 21, 1932 in Longview, Texas, to the union of Horton, Sr. and Fannie Matthew he was the sixth of seven children. Mel attended elementary and junior high school in Longview, Texas. Mel moved to California where he attended El Cerrito High for a short period before receiving his high school diploma from Chico High School in 1951, where he played on the football team, played saxophone in the school band and was a member of the Air Force ROTC. On July 22, 1951, Mel and Carmen Oleta Carrillo, of Chico California, married in Chico, CA, and to this union had nine children: Erris, Larry, Melvin Jr, Arron, Carmen, Gregory, Paul, Lance, and Douglas. Mel and Carmen were married for 57 years.

Mel moved his family to San Francisco in 1951 and was able to purchase a home at 1717 Baker Street and several other properties in San Francisco while working with TW Washington Realty buying and selling real estate. He studied law and was a law clerk for John Busey who later became the first black judge in San Francisco. He also worked for Zelinsky & Sons Painting as a Supervisor. In 1966, Mel formed his own licensed painting and construction companies, M. Haynes Co and Melcar Construction Inc., respectively, which were members of various associations, such as the San Francisco Painting and Decorating Association, Associated General Contractors of California and other organizations and worked with many unions, such as the Painter Union, Cement and Brickmason Union and Operating Engineer Union (Local 3). Specializing in painting and sandblasting, he cared about his community and hired and trained many San Francisco residents. Mel and Carmen desired their children to obtain college educations, and they did. They include graduates of UC Berkeley (3), Pomona College (2), Hasting Law College (1), Holy Names (1), San Francisco State University (1); and one attended West Point Military Academy. Mel also attended San Francisco State where he majored in political science, played on the football team and, later after raising his family, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. Mel enjoyed taking the family to the family Ranch, to 49er games at Candlesticks and was a big fan of the 49ers and San Francisco Giants.

His firms, M. Haynes Painting Co. and Melcar (Melcar) Construction, Inc., were the subcontractors on many construction projects in and outside the Bay Area: SF General Hospital, San Francisco UC Clinic on Parnassus Ave., Bank of America Tower/SF, Bethel AMEC and Allen Chapel AMEC SF, Inglewood Civic Center, Santa Ana Hospital, Sacramento Convention Center, and Castro Street (San Francisco) and Broadway Street (Oakland) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Stations, to just name a few. Being a family man, he enjoyed having all of his sons and brother Horton ("Dick") working with him, in his San Francisco office/shop: 644 Laguna Street. In recognition of his ability to work with people, he was elected President of the San Francisco Painting and Decorating Association. Later, he became Coordinator for the Operating Engineer's Apprenticeship Program at Rancho Murritta, Sacramento, CA, where he helped train future engineers. Mel was a member of Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity, Oakland Chapter, member of Bethel AMEC SF and later a member of Jones Methodist United Church SF where he served on the Trustee board under Rev. Hamilton Boswell, Pastor.

After years of operating a successful construction company, Mel turned his interest to farming and developing agricultural properties. In 1977, Mel purchased 400 acres of undeveloped land in Palermo, CA, near Oroville, where he also maintained a sizeable herd of livestock. In 1986, he bought 300 acres of agricultural land in Arbuckle, CA, where he grew and harvested organic almonds (which were later packaged and sold throughout the Bay Area, and as far away as Japan). He also designed a golf course surrounded by 40 residential homes. Mel and Carmen enjoyed hosting family reunions and friends at "Rancho Del Sol" where he would share his vision of developing the ranch. All members of the family enjoyed the ranch and cherished the memories of working hard to make it a success.

Mel is predeceased by his parents, Horton and Fannie, brothers Evans, Arthur D, Horton ("Dick"), sisters Fannie Mae Boyce, and Betty Jo. Mel leaves to mourn his former wife Carmen O. Haynes; children Erris (Louise), Larry, Melvin Jr., Arron, Carmen D, Gregory, Paul, Lance and Douglas (Cherie); Sister Ruth Ann; and grandchildren Shawana, Phoebe, Shontell, Larry, Jr.,Katina, Ericka, Erris Jr., Cory, Alaina, Zachary, Gregory, and great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relations and friends.

Visitation will occur from 5-8 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Rose Manor 3331 MacDonald Ave., Richmond, CA. Funeral services will be held, Friday, June 24th at 10:30 am at Rose Manor 3331 MacDonald Ave, Richmond, CA; burial will follow at Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Richmond.