McKean Perry Melo

McKean Perry Melo, 20, of Kilgore, Texas passed away, Thursday, November 23, 2017 in a motorcycle accident on his way home to Kilgore after sharing a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with his family.

A Requiem Mass will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington, Amarillo, Texas 79102. Local arrangements are made by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St., Amarillo, Texas.

McKean is the son of Katy Kerr Mitchell and husband Derek of Kilgore and Nelson Melo of Baytown, Texas. He loved his parents and would help his mom Katy with almost anything except picking up his laundry. He would watch TV with her, even Hallmark Christmas movies. He even helped produce the live productions for her online jewelry sales. McKean loved his dad, Nelson dearly and always wanted to grow up and be just like him.

The third of eight children, McKean deeply loved his siblings; his older brothers, Clayton Melo and R.J. Melo; younger brothers, Jarod Melo, Ryker Mitchell, Daniel Mitchell, and Larson Mitchell. He was very patient with “the littles” and helped them with school work, build things with their LEGO’s and building blocks, carried them on his shoulders and swung them round and round as only big brothers can do. He patiently helped them all learn to ride their bicycles. He had one little sister; six year old Reagan Mitchell whom had him completely wrapped around her little finger. She’d stick bows in his hair and put play make-up on his face, McKean would smile and play along with any role the assigned him.

After his mother remarried, Derek Mitchell, McKean lived with them and forged a strong bond with his step-father.

McKean was born in Amarillo, Texas, but spent most of his early life in Massachusetts. When he was six, the family moved to La Porte, Texas where he attended Heritage Elementary School, La Porte Junior High School, La Porte High School, and graduated from Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown on May 27, 2017.

He was an active young man who loved the thrill and excitement of sports and challenges. Before he was three, he was riding bicycles and skateboards. Not satisfied with the mundane, he taught himself tricks and continually worked to make them more difficult and more dangerous. He would ride a rail on his board or attack a ramp with vengeance and had the broken bones and scars to prove it. The same with his bike; handstands, wheelie flips, and dare-devil moves. He rode his bike everywhere, even to work.

McKean also participated in various organized sports including Bushi Ban martial arts, swimming, baseball, and basketball. In middle school, he participated in track where he threw the shot put and the disc. In high school, he played football his freshman and sophomore years. As a freshman, McKean joined the ROTC program and loved Orienteering in which he competed. He was nationally ranked for the first time as a freshman. He stayed in ROTC throughout high school considering the military as a career.

McKean loved singing. He had a beautiful, deep voice and sang bass in the school choirs and earned a spot in UIL all-region choir. He also sang in the choir at church. One of his favorite choir experiences was the “signing choir” at his church.

He worked at the AT&T call center helping customers with their phone issues. Always a good listener, McKean was good at his job and advanced quickly winning several awards for key performances both during training and as a full time employee. With his earnings, he bought a Kawasaki motorcycle; it was his pride and joy. During the holiday, he rode it down to show family and friends to let them know he was doing well, happy and healthy. McKeans smile was infectious and would light up a room. He was intensely loyal to his family and friends, with a servants heart he would help anyone in need.  He would listen to whomever he was sharing a conversation with, no matter how long it took. He would offer encouragement and comfort to all who needed it, and his smile would let you know that you were important. So important, that you were the only person in the world that mattered to him at that moment.

The last day was a great one filled with love, stories, good food, and fun memories. The trip back to his home ended differently than any of us wished, but he is truly home. McKean is with the Lord, our Father and as a dedicated Christian, he believed there is no greater glory than being with the Holy Father. We know he could not be in a better place.

McKean is survived by his mother, Katy Kerr Mitchell and husband Derek of Kilgore; his father, Nelson Melo of Baytown; six brothers, Clayton, R.J. and Jarod Melo of Baytown and Ryker, Daniel, and Larson Mitchell and one sister, Reagan Mitchell all of Kilgore; grandparents, Ronnie and Donna Kerr of Amarillo and Maria Melo of Boston; aunt, Pip Thomas (J.J.) of Balch Springs; uncle, Kean Kerr (Chalice) of Fort Worth; two great-aunts, Deanie Davis and Darla Mueller (Cecil) both of Amarillo; and one cousin, Nicholas Kerr of Fort Worth.

Online condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com