Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Sunday

June 10, 2012

Melvin 'Mel' Charles Gee

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TRAVERSE CITY — Mel Gee, 84, Traverse City's "Treasure", passed away June 8, 2012, at Munson Hospice House, surrounded by relatives and close friends. Mel was born on July 23, 1927, to Charles Franklin and Sarah Ethel (Russell) Gee.

Mel graduated from Traverse City Senior High in 1945. He played the clarinet in the marching band and sang in the high school choir.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He was the first honoree to be nominated entirely by students. He taught countless students the school fight song, which two of his friends, Peter Clancy and John Davis, wrote in 1947. He and the other members of his barbershop quartet, the "Three and Three Quarters", sang it over the radio, which was the first time it was ever broadcast. He would often wear his Trojan Varsity Letterman sweater he bought when he was in high school to home games. He was also a longtime supporter of the Traverse City Music Boosters Program. Mel was also the first conductor of the Sweet Adelines, a ladies barber shop quartet. In his spare time he also enjoyed ice fishing.

During his professional career, Mel owned and operated Mel Gee's Music Store for 35 years. He also worked at Ace Hardware, Prevos, Glen's, Oleson's and Federal Security.

Mel was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church and a faithful member of the church choir for over 70 years. Every Christmas Eve, Mel would don his glowing Christmas lights necklace and bells.

Mel will also be missed by his friends at Rounds. If you couldn't find Mel, just check Rounds. He ate breakfast there almost every day for the past 10-plus years.

Mel was also a passionate ambassador for the National Cherry Festival, and on June 1 received emeritus status for the Marshall of the Cherry Royale Parade. Mel was known as the "man with the bullhorn" on the corner of Front and Union streets during the festival's parades and has been a part of the festival for over 58 years. In 1996 he was the Grand Marshall of the Cherry Royal Parade and in 2004 was the Marshall of the Heritage Parade.

In addition to the Cherry Festival, Mel was also a proud member of the Grand Traverse Highlander Bag Pipe Band. Mel founded the Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums in 1974.

Mel is survived by several cousins and countless friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A funeral celebrating and honoring Mel's life will be held at First Congregational Church on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest with his parents at Oakwood Cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mel may be directed to the First Congregational Church, where the Mel Gee Scholarship Fund has been established.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

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