The Rev. Dr. Mel Tomlinson

                                             Mel Tomlinson Obituary The very bright light that is Mel Tomlinson is now shining in heaven and making the angels smile. Mr. Tomlinson went home to be with the Lord at a few minutes after 6pm EST on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in the midst of a beautiful sunset.  He was at peace with God and ready to go on to his next adventure. Born in Raleigh, NC, on January 3, 1954, to Tommy and Marjorieline (Henry) Tomlinson, he is survived by son, Kierron Robinson; two brothers, Dexter G. Tomlinson of Raleigh, and Marlon D. Tomlinson of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Tommina Tomlinson Dawkins of Raleigh, and Ellen Tomlinson Carter, and brother-in-law, James Carter, both of Winston-Salem; and a host of loving family members, including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Mr. Tomlinson is also survived by many friends, dance students, and fans all over the world. Mr. Tomlinson lived a full life.  He traveled the world as a well-known professional ballet dancer in the 1970’s and 1980’s, dancing as a Soloist and/or Principal with some of the greatest ballet companies in the United States and the world – Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre.  He performed worldwide for kings, queens, and presidents, including President and Mrs. Reagan at the White House with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. His first job was dancing for famed choreographer, Agnes de Mille on a tour of her Heritage Dance Theater. Miss de Mille was inspired by Mel’s many talents – he could ride a unicycle, juggle and twirl batons, as well as do acrobatics.  Although these were not typical feats performed by ballet dancers, Miss de Mille was inspired to create a ballet around Mel’s extra talents – and Texas Fourth was born.  Tomlinson’s first time performing in New York City was on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House with Miss de Mille’s company dancing and performing all his tricks in Texas Fourth.  He revised this role years later for the televised Kennedy Center Honors, when Miss de Mille was one of the recipients. Mr. Tomlinson was the first in his family to graduate from college, receiving his degree in dance from UNCSA in only three years instead of the normal four years New York City Ballet, artistic director and choreographer, George Balanchine put Mr. Tomlinson in the male lead in his ballet, Agon, immediately upon his joining the company.  Dancing with Principal Ballerina, Heather Watts, Mr. Tomlinson made his debut with the New York City Ballet as a replacement for lead dancer, Peter Martins.  No advance announcement was made. The audience was spellbound and afterwards, dance critic, Anna Kisselgoff, wrote in the New York Times that the performance was ”….one of the most dynamic and electric in years.”  Mel Tomlinson had arrived. Tomlinson was featured on several of the Dance in America series, most notably, L’Enfant et les Sortileges, better known in the United States as The Spellbound Child.  He also did stints in several movies with Sydney Poitier and Bill Cosby. After retiring from performing, Mr. Tomlinson began a second career as a ballet teacher.  During a guest teaching stint in Myrtle Beach, SC, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.  He was found to have full-blown AIDS and was suffering from cryptococcal meningitis, a rare type of meningitis, caused by a fungus commonly found in dirt and air everywhere.  One of the main killers of people with advanced cases of AIDS, this terrible disease almost took Mr. Tomlinson, who, over the next three years declined to the point of needing round-the-clock care.  He was placed in the House of Mercy AIDS hospice in Belmont, NC, where he was soon expected to die. After almost two years spent at the House of Mercy, and several bouts with near death, God chose to miraculously heal Mr. Tomlinson and gave us twenty extra years in which to enjoy his  extraordinary wit and presence. He knew that the twenty years was a gift from God and made the most of that gift through teaching, choreographing, sharing the word of God each week at St. Paul Baptist Church through his sign language ministry, and sharing the story of his amazing life through the book, Beyond My Dreams.   While still in hospice, Mr. Tomlinson got his Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Christian Counseling, taking correspondence courses from the Carolina University of Theology in Stanley, NC. Friends and family will miss him terribly but were lucky to have had him for the time he was with us. I believe that Mr. Balanchine was among those waiting for him and has already made Mr. Tomlinson a principal dancer in heaven’s ballet company. Go in love and happiness, my friend. I, and all whose lives you touched, will miss you. The Charlotte, NC Memorial for Mr. Tomlinson will be Saturday, March 2nd at noon at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1401 Allen Street, Charlotte, NC 28205. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Tomlinson requested a donation be made to a dance scholarship fund in Mr. Tomlinson’s name, through the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Donations can be made online at this link: https://uncsa.thankyou4caring.org/pages/donate…Write, "Mel Tomlinson Scholarship" under "other" in the designation. Donations in check form can be sent to:UNCSA, Office of Advancement1533 South Main StreetWinston-Salem, NC 27101-2738Write, "Mel Tomlinson Scholarship" in the memo.