Dr. Melvin L. Kyle, Jr.—a proud U.S. Veteran, devoted husband, and soft-spoken Southern gentleman—passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, just weeks before his 86th birthday. Born in Houma, Louisiana, Mel lived a life marked by curiosity, humility, integrity, and quiet strength.
A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for science, Mel earned his doctorate in Entomology from Louisiana State University. Though always a loyal LSU Tiger, he happily shared football season with his beloved Gator wife, Joan. His work reflected his deep commitment to science, agriculture, and the environment which included preserving the life of any bug that entered his home!
Mel spent more than four decades working to advance environmental stewardship and sound science. He concluded his distinguished career with Bayer CropScience, where he retired in 2004, though he continued to consult and advocate for science-based policies well into retirement.
His leadership earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association. He served as FFAA Board Chair, sat on numerous advisory committees, and was appointed to the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Review Council. He also served the growers of Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association through his service on the Board of Third Party Registrations. Mel was also honored with industry awards recognizing his integrity, service, and contributions to regulatory progress, including the Southern Crop Production Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Outside of his professional achievements, Mel loved life by the water. He was an avid fisherman, a gifted photographer, and a proud collector of antique wooden fishing lures. He loved New Orleans food and is surely eating crab claws in heaven as we speak! He lived fishing off the dock, Tabasco sauce on everything and school bus yellow mustard.
Mel’s legacy lives on through his family with his keen sense of humor, Miss Piggy jokes, and especially his grandchildren who knew him as “Paw Paw”. He is preceded in death by his parents, Preacher and Juanita Kyle, and his sister, Jackie Gourrier. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his brother, Floyd Kyle (Amy); sons, Kevin (Leslie) and Craig; stepchildren, Jeanne Howard (Kevin) and Don Hogan (Laura); grandchildren, Noah and Kennedy Kyle, David and Michael Howard, Erinn and Cait Hogan; and nieces and nephews Stacy Hughes, Rhonda Lynch, Becky Gourrier, Kelly Leland, and Sam Kyle.
Dr. Mel Kyle lived a life of quiet dedication, kindness and grace. His legacy in agriculture—and in the hearts of all who knew him—will endure.
Visitation hours of Friends and Family will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home. There will be a private interment with Military Honors at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Find, Feed, & Restore
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Melvin L. Kyle, please click here to visit the sympathy store.
