Melville C. Thomason

Melville C. Thomason of Asheville (86) died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on September 21, 2025, after a long journey with Parkinson’s Disease. The son of Jesse L. Thomason and Jocelyn Campbell Thomason. Melville was born and grew up in Lenox, Massachusetts with his sister, Jocelyn A. Thomason (deceased). He graduated from Lenox School and Amherst College (BA in Biology) and earned teaching certification at the University of Massachusetts. He served in the US Army. His career as an environmental educator began with the Massachusetts Audubon Society and continued with the New Canaan (Connecticut) Nature Center and the Natural Science for Youth Foundation. He married Jean Elliott in 1960 and they and their three children served in the Peace Corps at the National Museums of Kenya from 1972-1974.

Melville came to Asheville in 1977 to direct the WNC Nature Center, then later became a Realtor and Real Estate Appraiser. In retirement, Melville and Jean traveled internationally and spent many happy years on their boat, exploring the waters from Florida to Canada. Melville was a member of the Baha’i Faith and served the Faith in the US and in Trinidad and Tobago. His final years were at home in Asheville with Laurel Creek neighbors and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, sons Ethan (Cheryl Johnston), Bruce (Kris Medic) both of Candler and daughter Sarah Zmick (Paul Zmick) of Crozet, VA, four grandsons, Jesse and Tristan Zmick and Campbell and Graham Thomason, and two granddaughters, Pearl and Heidi Zmick.

Burial will take place at Green Hills Cemetery at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 followed by a reception from 2:30 to 4:30 at the Laurel Creek Clubhouse, 54 Laurel Creek Dr.. In lieu of flowers, Baha’is can make a donation to the National Baha’i Fund, others to Mountain Aging Partners (formerly MountainCare) or to the Friends of the East Asheville Library.

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