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COLUMBIA - A funeral service for Melbourne Allen Stebbins, 75, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, with burial to follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Mr. Stebbins passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017. Born on December 1, 1941, he was a son of the late Maraquita & Melbourne Stebbins.
Mr. Stebbins earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1964. He is a military veteran, serving on active duty as a U.S. Naval Officer from 1964 to 1968 and in the Naval Reserve until 1991, retiring with the rank of Commander.
Stebbins came to Columbia in July of 2001 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of WIS-TV and retired in 2008. Previously, Stebbins served as Vice President and General Manager of two other stations: WTOL-TV in Toledo, Ohio, from 1993 to 2001 and WSFA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama, from 1985 to 1993.
During Stebbins' tenure as WIS General Manager, the station won two Southeast regional Emmy Awards for Best Newscast and three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. WIS was also honored four consecutive years (2003-2006) as Television Station of the Year by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association under his leadership.
In the community, Stebbins was an active volunteer, serving on the United Way, Chamber of Commerce, and American Red Cross boards in all three cities where he was a General Manager. In Columbia, he served as a steward on one of United Way's Community Councils, and a board member for the Girl Scout Council, Palmetto Health Foundation, Junior Achievement and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties. Mel recently had served as a Guardian ad Lidem for children in S.C. and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, the Spring Valley Rotary Club and The Members Club where he enjoyed playing golf.
In addition to his parents, Mel was predeceased by his brother, David Stebbins.
Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Kathryn Ann Stebbins; son, Victor Todd Stebbins (Laura); granddaughter, Riley; sisters, Julie Spray (Jake), and Suzanne Allen; sister-in-law, Susan Hansen (Joe); and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made in Mel’s honor to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or Girl Scouts of SC - Mountain to Midlands (GSSC-MM), Attention: Lee Ann Maley, 5 Independence Point, Suite 120, Greenville, SC 29615.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dunbar Funeral Home - Devine.
October 26, 2017
Jo Ann Baer Wingfield
We went back a long time. I worked with Mel at WJIM TV in Lansing when we were both so young we thought we'd never get old. He was smart, professional, and just loved to laugh. I'm sorry he's gone. The world was a better place with him in it.
August 28, 2017
Joseph Azar
My gosh! Gone? I just saw him at church a few weeks ago and he looked great as usual. Mel was always kind,open and engaging. Never was he inaccessible. Though he was chief of the most storied TV station in SC, he was just a humble, gentle man. I always enjoyed talking with him and always felt his friendship, even though we met as a business relationship.
I am glad to have known him. He will be missed.
August 25, 2017
I just heard about Mel's passing. Sorry for your loss Kathy and all the Stebbins family. I recently reconnected with Mel. We had gone to Ionia High together. I was hoping to see him at the induction of the undefeated 1958 football team, which he was a member of, into Ionia's Athletic Hall of Fame this September.
He was always a fun loving guy in school. He will be missed. RIP Mel.
Gary Swinehart
August 24, 2017
Friend
Tom Pletz
For Kathy & Mel's family, my deepest condolences!
I came to know Mel well and to hold him in high regard during your time in Toledo. I greatly admired Mel from my many associations with him through work and the Naval Reserve. He was a gentleman and gentle man, who led others well, firmly but gently, to my observations. I came to consider him a good & trusted friend, because we enjoyed many good times together, dealing with legal issues at WTOL, playing golf together or just telling sea stories. Mel treated everyone cordially and kindly. He was a person of great integrity. He was devoted to community service, getting good things done and he accomplished things with a wry sense of humor and infectious chuckle. He was always a pleasure to be with, to learn from and to confide in.
Mel will be long-remembered in Toledo and sorely missed by his many friends here.
For Mel, Fair Winds & Following Seas!
Tom Pletz
August 23, 2017
Dawndy Mercer Plank
I'll forever be grateful to Mel for his leadership at WIS. This TV station has been my home for more than 20 years and much of what we are today is from the foundation Mel continued to fortify while at the helm and even in his retirement. And what a fun, gracious, and beautiful "first lady" Kathy was to many of us at WIS.
August 23, 2017
Mel was a kind and gentle person who seemed to have never met a stranger. Our prayers are with Kathy and family.
Ron and Karen Long
August 23, 2017
Jack Kuenzie
Mel was a great GM for WIS, widely respected in the community and a man who stuck up for his employees. My heart goes out to Kathy and the rest of the Stebbins family.
August 22, 2017
David Ford
I am sorry for your loss, Kathy. I will always remember playing rounds of golf (while we solved the world's problems) with Mel.
August 22, 2017
Lyle Schulze
I only got to know Mel in the last two years since moving to Columbia to "take Mel's chair" as the new GM of WIS. Mel quickly reached out to me and was a strong voice of reason. He made a lasting mark with me by showing up at the station during the aftermath of the flood to help us out. Mel's impact on WIS and the Columbia community is legendary. Maureen and I send our best wishes to Kathy and Mel's family.
August 21, 2017
Mel, you were a good friend and Golf buddy at Inverness when you lived in Toledo. You will be missed. Jim Edmunds 2003 the Bluffs Toledo, Oh 43615
August 21, 2017
Kirk Winkler
Arlene and I were so saddened to learn of Mel's passing. Though it's been more than 30 years since we worked together in Toledo, Mel was one of those great people--a gentleman and friend--you never forget. Our profoundest sympathies to his family.
August 21, 2017
We lost a good man, but we keep forever the memories of his integrity and grace. Mel set high standards and lived up to them.
Carole and Mark Lett, Columbia SC
August 21, 2017
Gene Middendorf
Hey MelMan!
Well, you now know the answers to all those questions we ponder at our Monday morning Religion gatherings. We missed you today and will be missing you on the golf course in the future. Pray for us here on Earth as we want to see you again in Heaven.
Gene Middendorf
August 21, 2017
Alan Brill
Deeply saddened to hear about Mel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Susan and Alan Brill
August 21, 2017
Tom Ledbetter
Mel was an outstanding supporter of education, especially early childhood. He was instrumental in the evolution of the Midlands Reading Consortium, in particular, and an avid supporter of the United Way of the Midlands in general. We shared a love of early rock & role and beach music. Thanks, Mel, for all you have done!!!
August 21, 2017
Cliff & Lindsy Shellenbarger
Sorry for your loss. Mel was a great person. Thinking of you and your family.
August 21, 2017
Ed Tilden
Fair winds and following seas, shipmate!
August 21, 2017
Allen McNeill
Mel will be missed by many. He was a good man.
August 20, 2017
Larry McCartney
The Entire Stebbins Family:
May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in his well-deserved peace. May an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful, all-forgiving God wrap him in his strong arms and hold him next to his tender breast for all eternity. My prayers are with you.
August 20, 2017
Angie WIngard
To Kathy and the Stebbins family,
I worked for Mr. Stebbins @WIS. I send you prayers of peace and comfort during this incredible time of loss.
May the Lord lift you up and carry you on eagles wings, until you are able to walk on solid ground.
Love in Christ,
Angie WIngard
August 20, 2017
Sheldon Rosen
Mel served in our U.S. Naval Reserve Unit for several years. He was a fine Naval Officer with a unique sense of duty to his Country and to the Navy. He served with Honor and Distinction during his tour with us. His finely tuned sense of humor and wit made him a joy to serve with during the years he was here., Sheldon M. Rosen, Captain USNR-R.
August 20, 2017
Jamie and Bruce Laurie
The loss is unmeasurable but so is the love left behind. My dearest friend Kathy- thank you for bringing Mel into our life and circle of friends.
August 19, 2017
It was a great pleasure to work with Mel and to get to know Kathy as we traveled together in our years together at Liberty/Cosmos. I have many great memories of Mel and will hold on tightly to those thoughts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and the other members of the Stebbins family.
Leon and Kathy Long, Long Beach, MS.
August 18, 2017
Stan and Peggy Luallin
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and the Stebbins family. Mel fought a good fight. He will be missed but his legacy will live on. He accomplished a lot and was a great man.
August 18, 2017
Jen
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. May the wonderful treasures of your beloved Melbourne Stebbins fill your hearts with love and support of family and friends. Isaiah 57:15
August 18, 2017
Dianne Chinnes
My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with Mel's family.
I had the privilege of working with him when he was on our Junior Achievement Board of Directors. He was an outstanding volunteer.
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