Melvin "Mel" Sires

With great sadness, the family of Melvin J. Sires, III announces his passing on September 2, 2024, with beloved friends by his side.

Mel was born on July 18, 1933 in Atlanta, GA to Melvin J. Sires, Jr. and Bessie Hartness Sires. The family moved to Macon, GA in 1945 with the addition of his younger sister Patsy. Following high school, Mel graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering. After four years serving in U.S. Navy, Mel returned to Georgia Tech to complete his Masters Degree in Nuclear Engineering. During his time in the Navy, Mel met and married Margaret Burleson. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1958.

The family moved to Aiken, SC in 1961 where Mel went to work for AEC, now DOE, at the Savannah River Site until his retirement. His many involvements in the community of Aiken include founding member of the Aiken Gem and Mineral Society, basketball coach for St. John's girl's team, founding member of ARC- (Aiken Remote Control planes flying club) and founding member of Mended Hearts Chapter Aiken. Mel also enjoyed fishing, hunting, oil painting, delivering boxes of peaches to friends, and considered all of his beloved pets as dear family members.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Margaret, and significant special partner Kay Shirley. Mel is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Sires King and husband Bob of Santa Fe, New Mexico, sister Patsy Sutton and husband Jimmy of Fort Valley, GA, nieces and nephews, and Butterscotch the cat.

A graveside service will be held in Bethany Cemetery at 10:00am, with a service at St. John's Methodist Church at 11:00am on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Light refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John's Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. NW, Aiken, SC 29801 (www.stjaiken.org), the SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Rd., Aiken, SC 29801 (www.letlovelive.org), or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN SC

Mel's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com