John B. Melin, Sr

Mr. John Bennett Melin, Sr., age 86, of Griffin passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

John was born on May 15, 1936, in Red Wing, Minnesota. He and his extended family moved from Red Wing, Minnesota to Griffin, Georgia in 1951, when he was 15 years old. His parents, Earl Bennett and Bertha Louise Enz Melin preceded him in death.  John served in the Army National Guard, was a former member of the Moose Lodge, the Cattleman’s Association, and member of the First Baptist Church of Griffin. He attended ABAC for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, graduating with honors. His passion for agriculture and the outdoors helped shape his career as a Plant Pathology Researcher at the University of Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin, where he worked for over 32 years, as well as a Cattleman on his large farm. After retiring from the Experiment Station, he continued working on his farm as he had always done, planting crops, managing his cattle, and caring for his large pecan orchard. John loved all things outdoors, swimming, fishing, and hunting. He loved sports, especially Braves baseball and Georgia Bulldog football games. John had a great sense of humor, always loved good joke or two. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joan, and his family to places near and far. John is still truly loved and will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Joan J. Melin, children, John B. “Johnny” Melin, Jr. and his wife, Dawn, Joni C. Melin Peterson and her husband, Bedford, Jeffrey W. Melin and his wife, Dena, and Jamie E. Melin and his partner Paul Rousseas; grandchildren, B. Forrest Peterson and his wife, Chelsea, Sydni N. Peterson Collins and her husband, Asher, Brent C. Peterson, Lydia D. Melin Porter and her husband, Austin, and Victoria A. Melin Robinson and her husband, Melvin; sister Julia Melin Howard and her husband, Dan; and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation for Mr. John Melin will be Wednesday, June 29, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home.  An additional visitation will be Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Griffin.  Following the visitation, a funeral service will be in the sanctuary, officiated by Reverend Steven Norris.  Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

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