Melvin Lofton Johnson entered into Glory, his wife Nancy by his side, on Friday evening, November 17, 2023, at the age of 74, just a month prior to his 75th birthday. Kind, gentle, full of life, with an infectious smile that would light up a room and a hug that wouldn’t let go, Mel was loved by all who knew him.
Born to Ruth Johnson on December 6, 1948 in Blytheville, Arkansas, Mel never knew his father, Welton Lofton. Mel spent his first years in Chicago, the bad part as he described it. At age twelve, Ruth moved to San Diego, a safer place for Mel to grow up, yet Mel often recounted stories of riding bikes with his pal Larry to the cliffs of La Jolla and jumping off into the Pacific.
After graduating from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Telecommunications/Dramatic Arts/Film, Mel headed for L.A. where he started as a carpenter (and an excelled one at that) at Universal Studios and with a drive and persistence worked his way through the ranks to become a casting director.
It was in 1989 that Universal Studios sent him to cast “The New Leave It To Beaver” show in Orlando, FL. “The Beave brought me to Orlando,” he’d say. He stayed and opened his own independent casting company, Melvin Johnson & Associates Casting. From his office in Bldg 22A at Universal Studios, Mel gave many local actors their start. As one friend said, Mel wasn’t a casting director, he was the casting director.
It was in Orlando that Mel met and married Nancy. He passed away just three days prior to their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Together they danced, built houses, danced more, created and operated a luxury B&B in Bar Harbor, ME and had many more plans for the future, but Parkinson’s disease and Cancer intervened. Mel persevered through it all with dignity, grace, and faith in God.
Mel leaves behind his wife Nancy, son Melvin, Jr., three grandchildren Miles, Morgan, and Maya, and daughter-in-law Virginia. The family would like to thank St. Francis Reflections Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Mel in his final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a joyful Celebration of Mel’s Life on Saturday January 13, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Pkwy, Orlando