Jewel Monroe Melvin

Life Legacy Jewel Monroe Melvin, 78, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2016. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Perry. The family will visit with friends on Monday, February 22, 2016,from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., the hour preceding the service. Interment will be on Monday, February 22, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery. The family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Heart of Georgia Hospice Inpatient Unit, 1120 Morningside Drive, Perry, Georgia 31069.Jewel was born on May 2, 1937, in Milan, Georgia, to the late Edward Dewey and Sadie Selph Melvin. At an early age, the family moved to Hickory, North Carolina, where he was raised and schooled. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Air Force, and, after training, was sent to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA. He remained in the military for eight years, spent the next 18 years working for a government contractor, and then worked for Civil Service. During his 25 years at Edwards, Jewel earned a Bachelor's Degree from Golden Gate University. His specialty was providing physiological protection for pilots flying above 50,000 feet. His first project was the X-15 rocket airplane, the XB-70, three different Lifting Bodies, U-2, YF-12, and SR-71. He was responsible for the maintenance and modification of the pilot's pressure suits and related equipment and direct flight support. In 1981, Jewel transferred to Robins Air Force Base as Program Manager for Life Support Systems for the U-2 and SR-71 aircraft. He remained in that job until his retirement in 1995. In retirement, Jewel and his wife, Edna, operated the Perry Cafe, which was an especially enjoyable experience. He returned to RAFB as a contractor, where he remain until his final retirement in 2011. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Dewey Melvin, Jr., Charles Melvin, and William Edgar Melvin; and his sisters, Frances Cooke and Janie Icard. Left to cherish the memories of Jewel are his loving wife of 31 years, Edna Melvin of Perry; his sons, Sean Melvin of San Diego, California, and Kevin Melvin of Phoenix, Arizona; his grandchildren, Luna and Liam of Phoenix; his brothers, James Barney Melvin (Sadie) of Milan, Georgia, and Wayne Melvin (Sharon) of Columbus, Georgia; a sister-in-law, Marlene Melvin of Conover, North Carolina; many nieces and nephews; his step-children, John Costello (Bonnie), Sharon Costello, and Margaret Costello; five step-grandsons; and 11 great-grandchildren. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Jewel Monroe Melvin

May 2, 1937 - February 18, 2016