On December 28, 2023, Melvin E. Mounts, Jr. died peacefully at his home in Green Valley, Arizona, which he had shared with his friend and mentor, Robert V. Schauer, Esq., who preceded him in death in 2010.

Melvin was one of four sons of the late Melvin and Roberta (Durigg) Mounts.  Two brothers preceded Melvin in death: Dr. James (Marlene) Durig, who are survived by their sons Dr. Douglas Durig; Dr. Bryan (Marla) Durig and their four daughters; and a daughter Stacy (Hamm) Durig and three daughters. Another brother, the Rev. Bruce (Margaret) Mounts, who was pastor of the Amity Presbyterian Church in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, passed away in 2016. Melvin is survived by a brother, Earl Mounts, who resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All four brothers received B.A. degrees from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania – Melvin in 1962.

In 1964, Melvin received an M.L.S. degree from Rutgers University Graduate School of Library Science and worked as a reference librarian in the Newark, New Jersey library system while attending Seton Hall University School of Law at night for five years, receiving a J.D. degree in 1969.  He was appointed as a New Jersey State Deputy Attorney General in the Division of Law where he became counsel to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations and practiced public employee labor law for twenty-five years.

During his years in New Jersey, Melvin was actively involved with the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church as an Elder and Clerk of Session and sang in the Sanctuary Choir.

Following an early retirement in 1993, he and Bob Schauer moved to Green Valley where he transferred to the Valley Presbyterian Church and joined the Sanctuary Choir. Because of his love of music and the theater, he also sang with the Green Valley Community Chorus.  In summers, he served as a trustee of the Maine State Music Theater while living at their home on Wilson Pond in N. Monmouth, Maine.

In Arizona, he has been an active supporter of the Arizona Theater Company and the Arizona Opera League of Tucson.

Visitation will be held at Green Valley Mortuary on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 2:00-4:00pm. A memorial will be held at Valley Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, January 9th at 11:00am followed by a brief graveside service at Green Valley Mausoleum. A luncheon will be provided afterwards at the church.

Melvin would like to express special thanks to his dear friend, Dr. James Trout of Green Valley; to the Valley Presbyterian Church, and to the Schauer family.

Donations may be made to the Valley Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, 2800 S. Camino del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622, or to a charity of their choice.