MR. JAMES BARNEY MELVIN SR., age 88, of Milan, GA, died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Graveside services will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, January 16, at Sand Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Aubrey Corbitt officiating. Mr. Melvin was born in Milan, GA and lived in Hickory, NC during his formative years and after high school joined the United States Army. During his 22-year military career, which saw him rise in rank and retire as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, he served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam as a Huey helicopter pilot and received many accolades through his service to our country. Among these were the Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 60 Device, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), 3 Overseas Bars, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Army Aviator Badge, and the Meritorious Service Medal. After service he retired back home to Milan, GA where he was a faithful member and deacon at Milan Baptist Church. In the mid 1970s, he graduated from Middle Georgia College earning an associate’s degree in business administration. He worked at the Firestone Tire Store in Eastman for several years. Mr. Melvin was an accomplished woodworker who enjoyed farming, gardening, raising pigs and cows and growing corn. He was a dedicated husband, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was the son of the late Sadie Selph Melvin and Dewey Melvin, and was preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Katlin Rejholec and 7 siblings, E.D. Melvin, Charles Melvin, Edgar Melvin, Jewel Melvin, Wayne Melvin, Frances Melvin Cooke, and Janie Melvin Icard. He is survived by his Wife of 71 years; Daughter; Son; 4 Grandchildren; 7 Great-Grandchildren; Sister-in-law; Numerous Nieces and Nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions in memory of Mr. Melvin to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate