Kenneth Roy Melvin, 75, of Marianna, went into eternal rest on September 6, 2023 at the Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley after a lengthy illness.
Kenneth was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 20, 1948. His family moved with Graham Air Base first to Greenville, Mississippi and then to its location in Marianna, Florida; where they remained after the closure of the air base.
He attended Golson Elementary School and later Marianna High School. Kenneth was active in the MHS Junior Academy of Science, winning several awards for his science projects. He graduated from MHS in 1968.
To improve his education, Kenneth took several college courses in electronics and computer programming. He used these skills in various jobs until becoming employed at UniMac/Alliance Laundry Systems, where he remained for over 20 years until its Marianna location closed in 2006. He then worked with Canon Solutions America until his retirement.
He had a lifelong love of photography. He and his sister, Toni spent 20 years capturing weddings and special memories for so many people.
Kenneth married Virginia Frances Davis of Steele City on August 18, 1974. They have one son, Anthony Adam Melvin.
Mr. Melvin started working with the local Boy Scouts of America troop when his son joined the scouts. He found great fulfillment in working with the BSA for many years, becoming a Scoutmaster and receiving the coveted Order of the Red Arrow award.
As a member of Eastside Baptist Church, he volunteered to work the church sound system for many years. He also was a member of the Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Service; volunteering to serve at the disaster sites of many hurricanes. He felt his greatest honor was in providing food service to the workers, law enforcement and firemen at Ground Zero in New York, one month after 9/11.
Mr. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Jack K. and Annie Ruth Melvin; his sister, Mary Ann Roberts, his brother, Douglas Louis Melvin; and a grandson, Hunter James Melvin.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Virginia Frances Melvin; his son, Anthony Adam Melvin (Alison) of Marianna; his sister, Toni Melvin of Marianna; a sister-in-law, Margaret Melvin of Marianna and his soon-to-be-born grandson, Micah James Melvin. He is also survived by a special niece, Rhonda Breuer (Ron) of New Port Richey; several other nieces, nephews, and cousins; and three brothers-in-law Donald Davis (Kay) of Tampa, Vic Davis (Mary) of Mobile, AL and Bill Davis of Denham, LA.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Eastside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.
Flowers will be accepted, or contributions may be made to The Gideons International.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
