Mel Todd Carswell

Mel Todd Carswell, 56, went to his eternal home on Friday October 5, 2018. He fought a courageous battle after complications following a double lung transplant in June of this year.

Todd was born in Neptune, New Jersey, on January 19, 1962 and was the son of the late Millard Carswell and the late Jean Evans Carswell. 

He grew up in Lexington, N.C. Todd graduated in 1980 from North Davidson Senior High School. He graduated from Guilford Technical College in Jamestown, N.C. in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprentice program. He was a member of the IBEW Local 342 for 38 years.

In his early career, Todd was an independent contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy. He also worked for Nordfab Systems as an electrical department manager, he was Vice President for Vecoplan for 20 years, and most recently, he served as Vice President of Yukon Solutions LLC.

He attended Grace Church in Greenville, S.C. He was undoubtedly grateful for his relationship with Jesus Christ, and his Christian faith was at the core of who he was. He expressed wholeheartedly that "Jesus's love for him was the greatest blessing he had ever received."

Todd truly loved the mountains of Burke County, N.C., particularly Table Rock Mountain. He was an adventurous spirit who enjoyed traveling, and he was thankful that he had the opportunity to see all 50 states. As well, he traveled internationally, expressing a special love for Germany. He had a passion for history, he was an enthusiastic reader, and a lifelong learner. He was a faithful friend to so many. Todd was dedicated to his Carswell family, especially his three sisters, and he always took care of them. He met the love of his life, Ruby Parks, in May 2017, and they married on December 29, 2017. He was endlessly devoted to her and his four step-children.

Todd is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby Ann of Simpsonville, SC; their children, Emily Thornton (Parker) of Lexington, SC, Taylor Silvey, Caleb Silvey, and Hannah Silvey of Simpsonville, SC; his cherished sisters, Stacy Carswell Lyons (Terry), Carla Carswell Watkins of Lexington, N.C., and Jennifer Carswell Briere (Greg) of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his nephews, Cory Lyons (Sonni), Sean Lyons (Michelle), and Jordan Lyons (Paige); uncles, Don Carswell and Gary Carswell of Morganton, NC and aunts, Doris Beach of Nebo, NC, and Hazel Dale (Jim) of Morganton, NC. He is also survived by the most amazing cousins that walked his transplant journey with him faithfully.

Todd was preceded in death by his first wife, DeAnna Carico Carswell, along with his grandparents, Jethro and Blanche Carswell and Paul and Carrie Evans.

Todd's family would like to send their heartfelt gratitude to both the UNC Chapel Hill Transplant team and the ICU Staff for their unending dedication to Todd's recovery.

A celebration of Todd's life will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The family will be receiving friends at Grace Church, 2801 Pelham Road, Greenivlle, SC 29615  campus from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., with the memorial service following at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Jason Ray Expendable Fund in memory of Todd Carswell.

Donors should write a check to the Medical Foundation, putting the fund name on the memo line, and mail to:

The Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Inc.

880 MLK Jr. Blvd, CB 7565

Chapel Hill, NC 27514