Melvin Frank Thoede

Melvin "Buddy" Frank Thoede, 91, of Houston, Texas passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023. He was the last of 6 children born to John Jacob Thoede and Margarite "Margie" Thoede, nee Capdeville on August 6, 1931. He was a "late in life" baby and was unbeknownst to his mother until he arrived

Melvin grew up in Cottage Grove on Birdsall Street. He attended a public school in kindergarten, St.

Joseph Catholic School and graduated in 1950 from St. Thomas High School. He loved sports and was a member of the boxing, basketball, baseball and football teams excelling in baseball and football. He continued his passion for participating in sports by joining a senior softball league.

After he graduated, he went to work for his older brothers at their Thoede Auto Parts Store located on Westheimer. In the 1960's the brothers decided to expand and opened a store in Spring Branch placing their youngest brother in charge. Several years later the brothers each became sole proprietors of their own stores. Melvin kept the store in Spring Branch and for several years provided training opportunities for students in several of the High Schools in the area as part of the Industrial Cooperative Training Program. Most of his children worked at the store at one time or another until it was closed in 1996.

Melvin's catholic education molded his faith life. He was an active member of the Golden Youth Club at St. Ambrose Catholic Church He was an alter server all through his school years. When he retired, Melvin and Joan became daily mass goers and many mornings he was the server for his pastor. After moving to assisted living, Melvin could be seen saying his rosary with Joan. Melvin even would wear his rosary to assure he would always have it ready.

In Kindergarten Melvin met the "Love of his Life," Joan Koh. They didn't date exclusively or go steady, but he was always in her life, and they were best friends. It wasn't until they were graduating from high school that he asked her to marry him. According to Joan's graduation book, the day he asked her was the "happiest day of her life." They married on October 22,1950 and in their 71 years they raised 10 children, 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. His family was his life.

Besides his love of softball, Melvin was an avid hunter, and he loved the outdoors. Over the years he had deer leases all over Texas and later in life he hunted at the property in Kerrville and Colorado.

When he was preparing for deer season his children and sometimes extra neighborhood children and friends would tag along. He loved sharing his activities with his family and friends.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, John Jacob and Margarite "Margie" Thoede; his loving wife, Joan; his three brothers and their wives and his 2 sisters and their husbands, John Laurence "John L" and Emily; Lester George and Maureen, Margaret and Alvis McConnell, Alvilda and Robert Durr, Floyd Creed and Sylvia; and his daughter-in-law Kim Thoede.

He leaves behind his ten children: Greg and Kathy Thoede, Ralph and Debbie Thoede, Denise and Bob Dreyling, Steven and Linda Thoede, Susan and Vincent Woo, Matt and Laura Thoede, Joe and Jennifer Thoede, John and Sandy Thoede, Melvin "Buddy" Thoede, Jr. and his fiancée Angie Aparicio, and Donald and Kathleen Thoede; his eighteen grandchildren: Jeremy and Tirkisha, Clara and Marcus, Calvin, Michael, Jacob and Anita, Nicholas, Alex, Jordan and Cassie, Jonathan, Kirsten and Cedric, Brittney and Brett, Kristalyn and fiancée Hayden, Brian, John, Austin, Emmie, Ben, Sam; his eight great-grandchildren:

Aiyanna, Yazmein, Jaylynn, Malia, Yalonni, Kristoff, Natalie, and Boone.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 11,2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brookside Cypress Creek Funeral Home, 9149 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX 77095. The rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd., Houston, TX 77084. A committal service will occur Friday, May 12,2023 from 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Dr. Houston, TX 77055.

Special Thanks go out to ALL The caregivers and staff of Bristol Park Assisted Living and Memory Care.

The outpouring of love, care, and genuine compassion you extended over these last couple of years was truly felt. To Opal, Rochelle (i.e. Rachel), Shanae, Kiru, and Sharon (i.e. Momma Bear, Bear and then "B") thank you for having my dad's back from the beginning. You all were able to read him like a book and he knew it and he held you in a special place in his heart. Those of you that he renamed, thank you for understanding. Last, but not least, thanks to all of you who came by while he was passing and made sure you saw him and loved him. He left this world knowing he was loved and appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas High School, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Alzheimer's Association.

Almost everyone he met had an encounter with him that they could remember. How consoling it is to hear or read these stories about him. Please share your story if you can.