Melvin LaBree

Melvin “Mel” was born August 8th, 1940, in Salam, New Jersey to the late Doris and Melvin LaBree.  Mel had two brothers, Louis and Paul, who preceded him death.  Mel was very active in High School playing football and baseball.  He would earn extra money before school by trapping and selling the furs of Muskrats. On July 11th, 1958, Mel enlisted into the United States Airforce, where he was a communications specialist. Mel proudly served his country during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in March 1966.  He then returned home to Pennsville, NJ.  While working one night he lost a bet that led him to fall in love and marry Mildred Agnes McLaughlin, on August 19, 1967. That was the beginning of their worldly adventures.  Mel was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency as a Communications Officer in embassies around the world. Mel and Agnes’ travels took them to Amman, Jordan 1968-1970; Monrovia, Liberia 1970-1971; Zanzibar, Tanzania 1971-1973; Conakry, Guinea 1973-1975; Tel Aviv, Israel 1976-1978; Rangoon, Burma 1978-1981; Algiers, Algeria 1981-1984; Angeles City, Philippines 1984-1987; Washington, D.C 1987-1994. After 26 years of service with the CIA, Mel retired.  Mel and Agnes moved to Brevard, North Carolina.  In retirement and his spare time, Mel spent a lot of his time on a golf course chasing a little white ball around.  Later in his life, Mel spent many years volunteering for the local County Sheriff Department.  

Mel leaves behind his always adoring and attentive wife-Agnes.  Mel and Agnes have two sons, Melvin of Arizona and Hugh of Virginia. Mel also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, which he adored- Maxwell, Hannah, Katia, Michelle and Cadence. He also leaves behind extended family members- Lisa and Scott of South Carolina, Sara of Arizona, Brother-in-law Hugh McLaughlin of Florida. Mel’s beloved cat “Sun Shine” will also miss him terribly.  

The service date has yet to be set at this time.