Melvons Norman "Mel" Lockhart 1952–2011

Melvons "Mel" Norman Lockhart, age 59, passed away peacefully in his home on Novem­ber 7, 2011, to be with his Lord, after a 19 year battle with scleroderma.

Mel was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 21, 1952 and eventually moved to Annandale, Minnesota. He attended Annandale High and lettered in football, basketball and track, graduating in 1970. He attended Golden Valley Lutheran Junior College and played football there for two seasons. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1972 until his honorable discharge in 1976. He began his career as a Minnesota State Trooper in 1976 and retired from the Patrol in 1999. His retirement from the Patrol allowed him to pursue his lifelong passion of photography full time.

Mel's first experience in photography was when he was 14 years old and assisted his older brother in photographing a Jewish Bar Mitzvah. As a military police officer in the Marines, he was involved in the return of POWs in the Vietnam era and took many photographs of the historic event. Mel took photographs of various criminal and civil matters which were many times used in court proceedings for criminal prosecutions, accident investigations, and insurance claims throughout his 23 year career as a patrol officer.

He started Mel Lockhart Photography in 1999 and specialized in aerial, wedding, graduation, sports, baby and family gathering type photography. Mel was a NPS (Nikon Professional Services) member and had been published in various newspapers in northern Minnesota for sports photography as well as W.I.N. and the Guillotine magazines. Mel actively operated the business until he turned it over to his son, Justen, in November 2011.

Mel's hobbies included wildlife and nature photography, fishing, hunting, and electronics. He was elected to the Menahga School Board in 2010. Service on the Board became a great passion of his and he felt honored to have been elected by the community to serve. Mel was a member of the VFW, Menahga Area Chamber, and Menahga United Methodist Church Board.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Carmen; his daughters Charnelle and Carissa; his son Justen and step-son Josh; his grandchildren Taylor, Teddy, Elliana, and Adriana. Mel is also survived by his mother, Vernell Browder; brothers Gerry Lockhart and Al Lockhart; sister Angie Lockhart; and six nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Lockhart.