Melvin Norvelle

Long time Tucson resident, Melvin Frank Norvelle, born October 13, 1918 in Stonington, Colorado passed away January 29, 2017, of natural causes at 98 years of age. Mel moved to Tucson from Trinidad, Colorado in 1923 with his mother Flora Ethel Ohley Norvelle and father Clyde Larrison Norvelle as his father had been transferred by Southern Pacific Railroad. Initially living on Railroad Avenue near the SP round house the family moved in 1926 to a home on Palo Verde and Bermuda where they constructed their own well and wind mill. Out in the country in those days, the family thrived with the boys living in a bunk house adjacent to the main house. During summers, they used the veranda which encircled the main house as a sleeping porch in days before swamp coolers came into fashion. Mel attended school at Davidson Elementary in the Binghampton district of north Tucson, Mansfeld Junior High School, and graduated from Tucson High School in 1937, only after he was successful in Alice Vail’s English class. Always a hard worker, Mel worked summers at various jobs including the Tungsten Queen mine in the Dragoon Mountains northeast of Pomerene, Arizona. He held a good job at United Sash and Door (later named Arizona Sash and Door) where he was introduced to the carpentry trade. He used those skills and impressed Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California as WWII began. Mel became an expert at developing wooden mockups of planes Lockheed planned to build. As he rose through the ranks in Burbank, Mel became a master tool planner, eventually involved in engineering the P-38 Lightning cockpit, a plane for which he had a lifelong affection. He later became part of Kelly Johnson’s XP-80 development team at the famous Skunk Works Division. The P-80 Starfighter became America's first operational jet fighter aircraft seeing extensive action in the Korean Conflict and later as a US Air Force trainer until 1997. Married to Cleo Constance Few just before the war, they had a son, Michael and daughter, Marianne while residing in California. Following WWII, Mel and his family returned to Tucson where it had its roots. Mel then entered the real estate business, a career that lasted him nearly the rest of his life, yet he claimed to have retired at age 63. In his first opportunity, Mel worked a short period for James H. Hearon Realty and Mortgage Company learning about undeveloped land sales and successfully transacting his first 640 acre sale in the northwest foothills at $12 per acre. One of his most well-remembered and cherished endeavors followed his initial meeting in 1937 with John Murphey. Mel started working full time for Mr. Murphey in 1947. He rose in the ranks from construction carpenter to sales manager and eventually Vice President and General Manager of the Catalina Foothills Estates Corporation. His primary task was to cultivate and refine development of the Catalina Foothills in collaboration with the renowned architect Josias Joesler. Additionally he served as Vice President of the U-Circle Cattle Company for Mr Murphey. It was a fifty section ranching operation on the north side of the Catalina Mountains just beyond the small town of Oracle. In the early 1960's Mel parted company with Murphey and began to test his mettle as an independent real estate broker. Over the years Mel became well-known for his knowledge of residential land development in Tucson. His projects included work with John Bender of Flecha Caida Ranch Estates, Ben Schemmerhorn of Tucson Land and Development Company and Signature Construction, and Ben Shein of Solot Realty and Rocking K Ranch Development. Mel also served as Zoning Administrator for Pima County Planning Department under John Tsaguris and Alex Garcia, and was Board Member of the Catalina Foothills School District. An active Rotarian for many years he built up collaborations with Tucson business leaders and enhanced his ability to broker effective real estate deals. He also worked for Roy Long Realty to further enhance his real estate experience and knowledge. Ultimately, he founded Norvelle Realty and was a hallmark within the Tucson real estate community. Norvelle Realty successfully marketed sections of land and portions thereof west of Saguaro National Park from Ajo Road on the south to Avra Valley and Picture Rocks on the north. The most senior Past Master of Tucson Lodge #4, Mel was a mason for over 50 years, having been elected as Worshipful Master for the year of 1957. He achieved the position of 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish Rite with a Blue Cap during his career. With a very mathematical mind, Mel was also a very highly rated bridge player and teacher. He achieved Diamond Life Master rating during his career and was convinced that playing bridge on a regular basis was a factor in keeping his mental faculties in good working order until he passed away. Mel is survived by his son, Michael and his daughter, Marianne Birenbaum, both now of Missoula, Montana, his grandchildren Erik Norvelle of Tucson and Tina Sohl of Tempe, his sister Vivian Askew of Woodinville, Washington, and many, many nieces and nephews spread across the United States. Later in life, Mel married Anna Roth and is also survived by her children Suzanne Jackson and Paul Roth. He left behind many good friends, Masonic brothers and bridge partners. He will be remembered fondly in Tucson for years to come. The Norvelle family is deeply appreciative of Mel's close friends Joan Merrill and Harry Patton. Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Tucson Masonic Lodge #4, 3590 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, Arizona 85716. Refreshments and snacks will be served thereafter.