Ssgt. Melvin Alan Tomlinson

In Loving Memory Of Melvin Alan Tomlinson was born to Jesse Frank and Abbie Estelle Tomlinson on September 3, 1954 in Detroit, MI. Melvin was the youngest of 7 children. He was not only the baby of the family but he was known as his father’s baby as well. Melvin was educated in the Detroit Public School System. He attended Pattengill and Biddle Elementary Schools, Webber Junior High School, and Cass Technical High School. While attending high school, he worked weekends on Mr. Jones’ milk truck and was the third Tomlinson son to do so. After graduating, Melvin got a job at Hudson’s Department Store. Shortly after, he met and befriended Cynthia Ribbron, and they dated for a short time as teenagers until they separated as friends to pursue their dreams and goals. Later, after many years, they reunited and joined in Holy Matrimony on April 28, 2007. Melvin and Cynthia shared fun times together visiting museums, zip lining, and taking trips in and out of the country. After Hudson’s he worked at the Chevy Forge Plant for about 2 years before moving on to his brother Elbert’s full-service gas station where he was employed from 1982 until 1985. While working at the gas station, Melvin provided his customers with exceptional service, always going above and beyond with a smile. In the early 1980s, Melvin joined the United States Air Force. He was a member of the 127th Tactical Fighting Wing as a weapons technician. Later he became a disaster preparedness supervisor as a Staff Sergeant. He remained a member of the Air Force Reserves until his retirement. During his service, Melvin had the opportunity to travel which became something he continued and enjoyed throughout his life. While traveling, he enjoyed taking pictures of the places he went and the things he saw, especially nature. Photography became a hobby Melvin enjoyed, so much so, he even had his own darkroom for developing his photos. In 1985, after his father’s death, Melvin went on to pursue his desire to become a police officer. He had deferred enrolling in the academy while his father was living because he understood that his father had endured and given in to a lot of things in support of the careers of his 4 older brothers despite concerns. So as his father’s baby and out of respect for him, Melvin waited. He served on the Detroit Police Department for 33 years at the Atwater station in Downtown Detroit as a White Cap Patrol Officer. Melvin had some of his best times at family picnics and gatherings. His father gave him the responsibility of finding the location of the family’s yearly reunion. He took that responsibility to heart and made sure in the many years following that he was the first one to the park to secure the same spot at Belle Isle. Melvin was a very loving, respectful, and considerate family man. He helped care for both his father and mother until their passing. He was a dedicated husband, a wonderful son, a great brother, and an exceptional uncle which earnestly earned him the title of “Uncle Daddy Melvin” and eventually, “Uncle Grandaddy Melvin”. Melvin didn’t have any biological children, but for his nieces and nephews, he showed up just like a father would. Melvin was baptized at New Light Baptist Church in Detroit, MI under the leadership of Pastor Stanley Baker. He was very excited and wanted more. He was an advocate studier of the Word of God, and as he grew spiritually, his faithfulness was recognized and he was ordained as a Deacon. Of all the things Melvin was, most importantly he was a God-fearing man who loved the Lord and carried His word in his heart and his pocket. He kept a New Testament Bible with him always.

Ssgt. Melvin Alan Tomlinson

September 3, 1954 - December 22, 2023