Harold Melvin (Mel) McCullough was born on September 21, 1939, in Fort Worth, Texas to Harold and Glenna McCullough. He lived most of his early years in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas where he met Geneva Powers. On April 15, 1960, he married his childhood sweetheart Jeannie, and together they raised two children: Ginger (1965) and Chris (1968).

Melvin devoted his life to serving others through ministry. He graduated from Bethany Nazarene College in 1961, Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1964, and went on to get his (D.Min.) from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1981. Mel and Jeannie began their ministry by planting Wedgewood Church of the Nazarene in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1966. This was followed by pastoral roles in Kansas at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene, and in Washington at Seattle First Church (1972). In 1974, he served as executive director at the Nazarene Youth Department Headquarters in Kansas City. In 1978 he went on to lead a congregation at Colorado Springs First Church in Colorado for three years. After Colorado, the family packed up and moved to Illinois where Mel served as pastor at Kankakee College Church (1981). In 1983, he became the District Superintendent for the Washington Pacific district. His faithful service continued at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene from 1985-2004 and later with the Nazarene Foundation in 2004 until his retirement.

Anyone who knew Mel, knew he loved the Lord! His life was built around his passion for his Savior. It was a faith that he lived out until the very end. Even at the end when he didn't always know his family, he knew and loved his God. When his family visited him, he was still carrying his Bible, asking if he could pray for you. Anyone who knew Mel knew he also had a love for the outdoors. Hunting and fishing in Gunnison was one of his favorite things to do, while a close second would be to watch the KC Chiefs play on TV. Of course, his absolute favorite thing was spending time with his family. He loved sitting around the dinner table listening to one story after another bellowing out his trademark laugh that we all love. He will be greatly missed.

Melvin is survived by his wife of almost sixty-five years, Jeannie; his sister, Nancy Bennett; his daughter, Ginger (married to Donnie); and his son, Chris (married to Carol). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Hunter and Laura Quinn, Haley and Ryan Hursey, Josh McCullough, Colson and Isabel McCullough, Christian McCullough, Jack McCullough, and Kate McCullough; and his great-grandchildren, Alistair and Marty Quinn.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 10, 2:00pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.