Melvyn Boyd Smith, known simply as Mel to nearly everyone who knew him, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 9, 2026, at the age of 87.

Mel lived a life full of stories-and fortunately for everyone around him, he loved to tell them.

Born on March 31, 1939, Mel spent his early years in Lexington, Kentucky, the suburbs of San Diego, California, and Charleston, South Carolina. In Charleston, he attended Mt. Pleasant Academy, spent his childhood playing on the Isle of Palms, and developed an early fascination with broadcasting by sneaking into local radio and television stations whenever he had the chance.

That curiosity would eventually become a remarkable lifelong career.

While attending the High School of Charleston, Mel played football, served as editor of the school newspaper, The Bantam, and played trombone in the Youth Band of Charleston. His frequent visits to local television stations also caught the attention of Charleston broadcasting legend Charlie Hall, who hired the young teenager to sweep the floors at WCSC Channel 5.

Mel did not sweep floors for long.

Known as something of a teenage camera wonderkid, by age 17 he was already directing the news with a crew of approximately 20 people working under him-many of whom became lifelong friends. At the same time, he attended the College of Charleston, studying English and History and becoming a dedicated brother and pledge master of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Television would soon take Mel far beyond Charleston.

In 1964, he spent what he would later remember as some of the fondest years of his career working as a color camera operator at the New York World’s Fair. His work also took him to NBC in Washington, D.C., where he encountered many of the era’s political figures, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, and served as a cameraman during the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.

In New York, Mel worked at Radio City and behind the camera for some of the most recognizable names and programs in television, including Jack Paar, Perry Como, Mel Tormé, The Today Show, and the pilot and first 80 episodes of Jeopardy! Among his favorite chapters was his time as a cameraman for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, working alongside Carson and Doc Severinsen.

After returning home to complete his degree at the College of Charleston, Mel continued building a career that would take him across the country and through nearly every corner of the television industry.

He joined Kaiser Broadcasting in St. Louis, working in promotions while also teaching an elective course in broadcasting at Webster University. Never one to do things halfway, Mel treated his students to guest appearances from broadcasting icons such as Walter Cronkite and Captain Kangaroo.

From there, Mel moved to Cincinnati, where he became program manager at WKRC and, through his memorable on-air editorials, something of a local celebrity himself. His notoriety even resulted in then-Mayor Jerry Springer declaring one day to be “Mel Smith Day.” During his Cincinnati years, Mel worked on local favorites including Bob Shreve’s Past Prime Playhouse and The Nick Clooney Show, where his crew included a young George Clooney as well as Mel’s son and favorite cameraman, Phillip Smith.

Mel’s growing involvement in television syndication eventually took him to Denver and KWGN, where he helped take the station to the number-one spot in the ratings.

Later, his career carried him to Chicago and the Tribune Company. There, his professional world crossed paths with legendary television personalities including Geraldo Rivera, Oprah Winfrey, Bozo the Clown, and, much to Mel’s delight, his beloved Chicago Cubs.

He later worked with Grove Television to syndicate Gerry Anderson’s cult television series Space Precinct. Before retiring from Tribune, Mel also founded his own company, Mel Entertainment, and made one of his final major contributions to television as executive producer of Tough Target with J.J. Bittenbinder.

For all that Mel accomplished in broadcasting, however, television was only one part of the life he loved.

Mel was endlessly curious. He loved traveling the country in his RV, reading and learning, photography and videography, experimenting with his own distinctive version of poetry, and listening to music-particularly the sounds of the big-band era.

Aviation held an especially important place in his heart. Mel became deeply involved with the Experimental Aircraft Association and its Timeless Voices of Aviation oral-history project, personally producing more than 800 interviews documenting the experiences and memories of people whose lives helped shape aviation history.

Yet even that may not have been Mel’s most important work behind a camera.

For decades, he served as the unofficial cameraman, archivist, and freelance documentarian of his own family. children’s activities, grandchildren’s milestones, performances, celebrations, accomplishments-if something mattered to the people Mel loved, chances were good that he had a camera pointed toward it.

Because, ultimately, his family was the story that mattered most to him.

Those who knew Mel will remember his easygoing spirit, quick wit, unmistakable sense of humor, and the larger-than-life stories he accumulated during decades in broadcasting. Above all, Mel was simply a character-someone whose presence came with a laugh, a smile, a piece of advice, and almost always a story.

He was a loving husband, a proud father, and a deeply devoted grandfather. Few things brought him greater happiness than watching his family grow, succeed, and flourish.

Mel’s legacy lives on in the television history he helped create and preserve, the stories he documented, and the many people he encountered throughout an extraordinary career. More importantly, it lives on in his family-in the curiosity, humor, generosity, humility, love, and appreciation for a good story that he passed along to those who knew him best.

Mel is survived by his wife of 43 years, Seiko J. Smith; his daughter, Melinda Monk, and her husband, Lee Monk; his son, Todd B. Smith, and his wife, Kindall N. Smith; and his two joy-giving granddaughters, Piper Lee Monk and Maeve Ruth Kanae Smith. He is also survived by many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were made richer by knowing him.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, E.H. “Boyd” Smith and Elsie Jean Stamper Smith; his son and fellow cameraman and broadcaster, Phillip Boyd Smith; his first wife, Linda S. Dodd; and his sisters, Joyce Thomas and Beverly Seiferheld.

While his family grieves his loss, they find comfort in knowing that Mel is at peace and reunited with those he loved who went before him.

Family and friends are invited to gather at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd, on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Visitation will begin at 1:30 pm, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm. An inurnment ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Rd, beginning at 1:00 pm. The inurnment will be held for Mel; his son, Phillip Boyd Smith; his dear friend, Augustus “Gus” Legare Baily; and his father, E.H. “Boyd” Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests plants be contributed in Mel's honor.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.