Mr. Melvin was a Tampa native and was educated in Hillsborough County public schools. He continued his education at the University of Florida, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. He later earned his engineering degree from the University of South Florida. He was a proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces, serving in the Air Force as an aviation mechanic. He went on to spend his career as a general contractor. Melvin was the eldest son born to Melvin McQuay, Sr. (M.C.) and Margaret (Lemon).

He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin McQuay, Sr.; brother, Leon McQuay, Sr.; and sister, Elaine (McQuay) Brown.

He leaves to cherish his memory: mother: Margaret (Lemon) McQuay; brother, Reginald Garth (Michelle); son, Melvin McQuay, III (Rhonda); daughters, Hope (Sangon) McQuay, Kisha Ross Dickerson (Timothy, Sr.) and Marla McQuay; ex-wife and longtime friend, Velma Brookins McQuay, mother to Marla and Melvin, III; Grandsons: Timothy Dickerson, II, Romnick Cortel, and Thomas Dickerson; granddaughters, Kayla Chandler and Taylor Dickerson; nephews, Leon McQuay, Jr. (Angie), Matthew McQuay, Dwight Edgecomb, Jr., and Darel Adams; nieces: Shandra James-Hagins (Lynwood) and Kandyce Garth; uncle, Willie Lemons, Sr.; aunts: Daisy Shepard, Laura Joiner, and Gloria George; brother-in-law, Solomon Brown; and a host of other relatives and friends of the McQuay, Lemon, and Williams families.