Cover photo for Melvin Howard Washington's Obituary
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1940 Melvin 2024

Melvin Howard Washington

July 14, 1940 — October 25, 2024

Elder Melvin Howard Washington

A Life of Holiness and Service

Elder Melvin Howard Washington lived a life marked by holiness, strength, and love, inspiring all who knew him. Born on July 14, 1940, in Lawrence, Kansas, to George and Ernestine Washington, he faced the early loss of his mother at the age offive. He, along with his two siblings, was raised by their grandmother, Laveta Washington, whose positive influence shaped his life.

After completing middle and high school in Lawrence, Kansas, Melvin moved to Los Angeles, California, with his grandmother and aunts, eventually graduating from Manual Arts High School. Even from a young age, Melvin was independent, taking responsibility for many of his own needs by the age of ten.

Melvin enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 19, 1958, dedicating 21 and a half years of honorable service to his country. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant and Supply Management Superintendent on February 29, 1980. During his service, he completed multiple tours in Southeast Asia, including two in Vietnam, two in Thailand, and six months in Okinawa, Japan. He also served three years in Wiesbaden, Germany, taking on temporary duty assignments in England, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and Berlin.

After his Air Force retirement, Melvin continued his education, earning five associate degrees from Solano Community College in Fairfield, California, in areas such as business, industrial management, and shipbuilding. He began working at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1981, spending twelve years there. He completed a machinist apprenticeship and became a journeyman machinist, later advancing to the Nuclear Engineering department as a Material Procurement Specialist. In 1993, he retired from Mare Island and became an independent insurance agent, working with companies like Aflac, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Protective Life. Known for his industrious spirit, Melvin stayed active in various pursuits, keeping up with modern technology and exploring new avenues for earning.

Melvin’s personal passions included witnessing for Christ, reading, coin collecting, frying turkeys, and fishing. A devoted family man, Melvin’s only biological daughter, Althea Washington, passed away in 2021. He married Cemae Paige and embraced her children—Tracy, Cleo, Chris, and Robert—as his own, and became a beloved grandfather to Kalin, Keith, Sherrie, Betty, Michaela, and Stanley, as well as a great-grandfather.

Over forty years ago, at Shiloh Baptist Church, Melvin rededicated his life to God, embracing his calling with dedication. He became an avid student of the Bible, building an extensive library of theological references and materials, which he used to share insights and encouragement with others. Known for faithfully distributing *The Daily Bread* booklet, he served his community by spreading the message of Christ. 

In 1997, Melvin met the love of his life, Gwendolyn Bagley, at Corinthians Church of God in Christ, and they married two years later. He cherished Gwendolyn’s daughters, Maya Martin and Miesha Williams (Walter) as his own, and became a beloved grandfather to Chelyn, Chenel, Ayden, Elias, as well as a great-grandfather.

Later, he met his son, Hau Van Nguyen (Tina) and eagerly built a relationship with him, embracing Hau’s family, including grandchildren Kieuphi and Kienduc.

As an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ, Elder Washington followed God’s calling faithfully. In 2005, he and Gwendolyn moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, despite challenges. There, they joined Tabernacle of Praise Church of God in Christ under Superintendent Michael and First Lady Kathy Jackson, where Elder Washington served with devotion as Director of Christian Education, in the SWAT (Soul Winning

Across Town) ministry, Apollos Ministry, and the Men’s Ministry. Elder Melvin Washington was a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished spiritual mentor. He touched countless lives, serving as a spiritual father to Donyea Davis, Sha Londria White (Gary) and Corey Johnson (Natosha) and became a beloved grandfather to Victoria, Corey II, Alexandria, Gary Jr., Sha Lyce, Sha Layah as well as a great-grandfather.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin Howard Washington, please visit our flower store.
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation for Melvin Howard Washington

Friday, November 8, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Pacific time)

Giddens Memorial Chapel- Family Life Center

2610 N Martin Luther King Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

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Viewing for Melvin Howard Washington

Saturday, November 9, 2024

10:00 - 10:59 am (Pacific time)

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Funeral for Melvin Howard Washington

Saturday, November 9, 2024

11:00am - 1:00 pm (Pacific time)

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