Melvin M. Kauftheil was born on March 17th 1948 in Galveston, Texas to Leah and Leon Kauftheil. Their third child, Melvin was baby brother to his two sisters, Harriet and Rosalie.

Mel attended Texas City High School and graduated in 1966. With a natural talent for drawing and an all-encompassing creativity, he attended the University of Texas - College of Art in Austin, Texas.

Then with the spirit of the Sixties, drawn by the dream of freedom and a new age, Mel moved to San Francisco where a great population of 100,000 American youth gathered for ‘The Summer Of Love.’ By the end of the Sixties, the flower-power movement had largely faded, although its influence remained.

Mel returned to Texas City and was able to turn his artistic talent towards working for his parents’ menswear store, Jack & Leon, designing the store-front windows. This experience led him to Houston where he further developed his creativity and expertise in major department stores. From the early 1980’s until 2003, Mel was the Visual Merchandising Manager at Saks Fifth Avenue where he was known for being a master at styling. Along with his team, they created window designs, in-store displays and fashion shows for prestigious designers from all over the world. With Mel’s constant, original and inventive sense of humor, he was known for being ‘The King Of Making Everyone Laugh’.

In his youth, Mel loved the beach in Galveston, surfing and eventually lifting weights in the gym. He also found health and strength through the recovery community in Houston and was known for - in turn, being able to help and support others.

During his retirement, Mel spent quality time with friends and family, in Houston with his mother Leah and his sister Harriet and her family, enjoying many family celebrations. Mel spent this last year in Phoenix, Arizona and at the beach in Carlsbad, California enjoying life with his sister, Rosalie and her family. He is lovingly referred to as “the favorite uncle” by his extended family of nieces and nephews.

Mel passed away peacefully in Phoenix on March 20th at age 77.

Mel is survived by his sister Harriet Babchick and her husband, Jack Babchick, and his sister, Rosalie Avery. His nieces and nephews – Marc, Barbara and partner, Deborah, Susan and husband, David, Debbie and partner, Mark, Melanie and husband, Adam, Paige and husband Art, Monica and husband Jeremy, and Dawn and husband Scott. His great nieces - Carissa, Ellen, Addison, Abbey, and Vivienne. His great nephews - Michael, Chase, Matthew, Jake, Mason, and Mel’s beloved dog, Simon.

Funeral Service will be held at Beth Jacob Cemetery in Galveston, Texas on Monday, March 31st at 12pm, Noon.

In honor of Mel’s love for animals, please consider making a donation to Waiting Under The Willow Foundation, a Houston-based dog rescue dedicated to saving dogs from the streets and high-risk shelters, giving them a second chance at finding a loving, forever home. https://wuwfrescue.org/donate/