James Melvin "Mel" Potter, age 68, of Newark, De passed on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the University of Penn Hospital surrounded by his family. Born December 29, 1947, a son of the late Richard and Harriet Potter, he was a graduate of the 1965 Class of Christiana High School. In October 2015, Mel and his wife attended the CHS 50th Class Reunion where he saw many of his lifelong friends. Mel continued to bring smilies to everyone with his witty humor and funny stories. He was a graduate of Cecil County Community College with an Associates Degree in Business. Mel was was a Viet Nam veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Prior to retiring in 2001 with 30 years of services, he worked on the assembly line starting in 1971 and later in the Product Quality Improvement Division at the Chrysler Plant in Newark. He was a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW Local # 1183 ) of Newark. Mel attended St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newark, where he and his wife taught Sunday school and led the Youth Group. When his son was younger, Mel and his wife were Boy Scout leaders of Den #1. Mel was an avid football fan especially University of Delaware, Blue Hens. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lane Potter. Mel is survived by his wife of 46 years, Betty (Askvig) Potter; his son, Scott J. Potter and his daughter, Melanie J. Potter and her finace' Anthony LePore, all of Newark. Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the United Auto Workers Hall. 698 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark De. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. The family requests memorial contributions to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, http://www.curemeso.org/ in hope that a cure for Mesothelioma can be found.