Obituary for Durval Tavares Demelo, Filho
Durval DeMelo of Coppell, Texas (by way of Brazil) passed away in the early morning of Sunday, January 3, 2021, at the age of 91.
Durval (known to his family as Vovô) was born on September 1, 1929, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil – the fourth of ten children. He attended school in Recife to pursue the priesthood and completed seminary, but later decided the priesthood was not for him and left. He moved to Rio de Janeiro at the age of 19 or 20, where he would meet his wife-to-be, Zuleide (later known as Vovó), and start a family.
In December 1963, less than 2 weeks after the assassination of JFK, he moved his young family from Brazil to Dallas, Texas. Speaking almost no English, but armed with his legendary power of persuasion, he talked his way into a job as an illustrator by offering his services for free for a short amount of time to prove his worth as an artist. It worked – leading to a years-long career as an illustrator for the advertising campaigns of many iconic Dallas companies, including Zales Jewelers.
Not one to shy away from any opportunity to connect with people (even before he could speak English well), Durval would invite anyone in for a coffee (cafeziñho), including the traveling salespeople and religious organizations who occasionally rang the doorbell of his home. He later claimed that going to church was a great way for him and his family to make friends and perfect their English. He made so many friends and liked everyone so much that when they invited him to their churches, and later asked if he’d like to get baptized, he never had the heart to tell them that he had already been baptized. As a result, he was baptized multiple times, at different churches, in various denominations – something he reminisced about fondly.
The ultimate entrepreneur with an endless supply of ambition and an unquenchable wanderlust, he never stayed in one place for too long. He lived in many cities in the U.S. (including Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, and multiple locations throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex); as well as in Brazil (including Santos, Sao Paulo, Natal, Recife, and Rio). Occasionally he would move away from a city for a few years only to return – sometimes thrice. He kept one business card from each of his business ventures over the course of his life, which amounted to a stack longer than your arm and as varied as there are professions to pursue.
Though Durval was the quintessential businessman, usually elegantly clad in a suit and tie – even on the beach – he never missed an opportunity to play a practical joke or find humor in the situation at hand. Whether it be to trick a childhood friend into believing he was a member of a secret society or to perform his go-to “watch me take my own thumb off” trick over and over again at his grandchildren’s requests, he loved to laugh. And his wonderful, unique, silly laugh would make you laugh.
One of his most favorite people in the world to tease and make laugh was his wife of 65 years, Zuleide DeMelo, who doted on him with the most tender loving care for which any lucky spouse could ever wish. The way they floated together on the dancefloor when dancing to Bossa Nova was the way they traveled together in life: light on their feet, in sync with each other, and, above all, in love.
Durval was an extremely generous and loving man who helped countless people throughout his life whether it was by bringing them onboard one of his many business ventures or by connecting people. He never tired of networking, socializing, or traveling to see friends and family.
A granddaughter once came to Durval expressing concern about not knowing what to say when people asked her why her recent business venture ended. Always one to dispense excellent advice, Durval replied simply and knowingly, “Just tell them you wanted to try something new.”
Durval is survived by his wife, Marina Zuleide DeMelo; his daughter Rosana DeMelo (Lee Simmons); his son Ronaldo DeMelo (Monica DeMelo); his Grandchildren Sarah Liston, Shiloh Frank, Julie DeMelo, Zachary Simmons, Jordan Fannin, and Anna Simmons; six great grandchildren: Madeline Frank, Jakob Fannin, Elijah Fannin, Anaiya Ravani, Amelia Ravani, and Jack Simmons; three of his siblings: Nivaldo DeMello, Leyni Pinto, and Lea Arce; and a large, extended family in Texas, Florida, and Brazil.
The family will gather Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., for a Committal and Remembrance Service at Rolling Oaks Memorial Park, 400 South Freeport Parkway in Coppell, Texas with The Reverend Timothy B. Cherry officiating. Attendees should gather at the Cemetery Pavilion for the service and are asked to respect guidelines in place for social distancing and the wearing of masks for this gathering.
In lieu of flowers or cards that everyone prayerfully consider donating to your local food bank or to the World Food Organization and help feed our neighbors
Durval (known to his family as Vovô) was born on September 1, 1929, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil – the fourth of ten children. He attended school in Recife to pursue the priesthood and completed seminary, but later decided the priesthood was not for him and left. He moved to Rio de Janeiro at the age of 19 or 20, where he would meet his wife-to-be, Zuleide (later known as Vovó), and start a family.
In December 1963, less than 2 weeks after the assassination of JFK, he moved his young family from Brazil to Dallas, Texas. Speaking almost no English, but armed with his legendary power of persuasion, he talked his way into a job as an illustrator by offering his services for free for a short amount of time to prove his worth as an artist. It worked – leading to a years-long career as an illustrator for the advertising campaigns of many iconic Dallas companies, including Zales Jewelers.
Not one to shy away from any opportunity to connect with people (even before he could speak English well), Durval would invite anyone in for a coffee (cafeziñho), including the traveling salespeople and religious organizations who occasionally rang the doorbell of his home. He later claimed that going to church was a great way for him and his family to make friends and perfect their English. He made so many friends and liked everyone so much that when they invited him to their churches, and later asked if he’d like to get baptized, he never had the heart to tell them that he had already been baptized. As a result, he was baptized multiple times, at different churches, in various denominations – something he reminisced about fondly.
The ultimate entrepreneur with an endless supply of ambition and an unquenchable wanderlust, he never stayed in one place for too long. He lived in many cities in the U.S. (including Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, and multiple locations throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex); as well as in Brazil (including Santos, Sao Paulo, Natal, Recife, and Rio). Occasionally he would move away from a city for a few years only to return – sometimes thrice. He kept one business card from each of his business ventures over the course of his life, which amounted to a stack longer than your arm and as varied as there are professions to pursue.
Though Durval was the quintessential businessman, usually elegantly clad in a suit and tie – even on the beach – he never missed an opportunity to play a practical joke or find humor in the situation at hand. Whether it be to trick a childhood friend into believing he was a member of a secret society or to perform his go-to “watch me take my own thumb off” trick over and over again at his grandchildren’s requests, he loved to laugh. And his wonderful, unique, silly laugh would make you laugh.
One of his most favorite people in the world to tease and make laugh was his wife of 65 years, Zuleide DeMelo, who doted on him with the most tender loving care for which any lucky spouse could ever wish. The way they floated together on the dancefloor when dancing to Bossa Nova was the way they traveled together in life: light on their feet, in sync with each other, and, above all, in love.
Durval was an extremely generous and loving man who helped countless people throughout his life whether it was by bringing them onboard one of his many business ventures or by connecting people. He never tired of networking, socializing, or traveling to see friends and family.
A granddaughter once came to Durval expressing concern about not knowing what to say when people asked her why her recent business venture ended. Always one to dispense excellent advice, Durval replied simply and knowingly, “Just tell them you wanted to try something new.”
Durval is survived by his wife, Marina Zuleide DeMelo; his daughter Rosana DeMelo (Lee Simmons); his son Ronaldo DeMelo (Monica DeMelo); his Grandchildren Sarah Liston, Shiloh Frank, Julie DeMelo, Zachary Simmons, Jordan Fannin, and Anna Simmons; six great grandchildren: Madeline Frank, Jakob Fannin, Elijah Fannin, Anaiya Ravani, Amelia Ravani, and Jack Simmons; three of his siblings: Nivaldo DeMello, Leyni Pinto, and Lea Arce; and a large, extended family in Texas, Florida, and Brazil.
The family will gather Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., for a Committal and Remembrance Service at Rolling Oaks Memorial Park, 400 South Freeport Parkway in Coppell, Texas with The Reverend Timothy B. Cherry officiating. Attendees should gather at the Cemetery Pavilion for the service and are asked to respect guidelines in place for social distancing and the wearing of masks for this gathering.
In lieu of flowers or cards that everyone prayerfully consider donating to your local food bank or to the World Food Organization and help feed our neighbors