Melvin Richard Dubbin

1945 - 2021

Melvin Richard Dubbin
April 20, 1945 - August 29, 2021
Kennewick, Wyoming - On August 29, 2021, after a years-long struggle with asbestos plaque and a 2-week battle with COVID, Melvin Richard Dubbin went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He leaves behind the rich legacy of an active faith, an adoring family, and a long track record of selflessly serving others by fixing things that needed to be fixed and funding things that needed to be funded.
Born on April 20, 1945, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Mel was the third of Melvin and Rosabel Dubbin's ten children—beating his twin brother Marvin (who Mel called his "spare parts") into the world by 12 minutes. Raised in northern Minnesota, he graduated from Foley High School in 1963. Primarily a journeyman electrician and welder by trade, Mel was a natural-born mechanic and self-taught automotive expert. Following graduation, he began his career in construction work. He also served briefly in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, and was honorably discharged in 1966.
Mel married the love of his life, Sherry Rae Mitchell, on June 25, 1966, and soon added daughters Tonya Jo and Anissa Jane. After years working construction jobs in various places in the U.S., the Dubbin family moved to Kennewick, Washington in 1980, where he began working at the Hanford Site for Rockwell Hanford Co. He later worked for Westinghouse Hanford Co. and Dyncorp Co. until his retirement in 2009. He was widely known for his excellent work ethic.
Mel was a wonderfully active participant in the lives of his family and friends. Sherry always had a handsome date and a good home—including their first house that he built himself from the ground up. Tonya and Anissa (and their husbands) always had a mentor and reliable benefactor, and his grandchildren always had a cheerleader in the front row of their events and a nice car on their 16th birthday. Mel's friends always had someone they could call at 2:00am if they needed something, knowing that he would be quick to help and probably not even mildly annoyed.
And although Mel was an exemplary husband, father, grandfather, worker and friend, none of those roles truly defined him because he was first and foremost a Christian. A faithful attender of Grace and Truth Community Church, he consistently proclaimed the gospel with both his words and his actions. In addition to leading Bible studies, Mel was particularly generous with his time and special skills. Literally hundreds of people have benefited from the many hours he freely and even joyfully donated to fix their cars and repair their homes. He sponsored dozens of refugees from various countries, helping them find their place in a new community. He also worked for many years as a volunteer at the Edith Bischel Center for the Blind.
In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by his brother Mark and sisters Judy and Marline. The legendary Dubbin family reunions will certainly miss him at the epic Cribbage tournaments that would go late into the night, and surviving siblings Shirley, Marvin, Wayne, Dallas, Arlyce and Vicky will have to laugh without him when they tell loud stories about the crazy things they did growing up. Mel is also survived by Sherry, his wife of 55 years, daughters Tonya (Paul) Davis and Anissa (Jim) Bezanson, and grandchildren: Warren (Heather), Bethany, Emily, Abigail, Natalie, Bryce, and Sydney; and honorary grandchildren Sarah, Rebekah, Solomon and Elizabeth.
A celebration of eternal life will be held at the Southridge Sports and Event Complex in Kennewick, Wa, (near the Gesa Carousel) on September 24th, 2021, at 5pm. Mel insisted that everyone have a good meal on him. Please direct any donations to the Edith Bischel Center for the Blind at edithbishelcenter.org/donate/