Melvin "Lee" Barden, Jr.

Melvin "Lee" Barden, Jr., 66, left this world suddenly while on his favorite motorcycle on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

He was born to Lois V. Crookshanks and the late Melvin L. Barden, Sr., on December 17, 1959. He is preceded in death by his stepfather, Delbert R. Crookshanks.

After graduating from Hopewell High School, he joined the United States Navy and was at sea most of the time on the USS Lawrence. After the Navy, he worked at the Hopewell wastewater treatment plant for about 30 years. He was a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. He loved his special time with his dog, Dixie, that he trained to obey and do many tricks.

He always had a great love for motorcycles and working on them. He loved riding with his biker friends and his special biker friend, Cody Betley. They traveled to many states to attend biker events and had planned many more for the future, but only memories of the past will be remembered now. Lee is survived by his mother, Lois V. Crookshanks; two brothers, David Barden and Gene Crookshanks; sister, Becky Robertson; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A funeral service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home with a visitation beginning an hour prior at 4:00 p.m.