Melvin Dean Vess

August 11, 2015 Mr. Melvin Dean Vess, age 79, husband of Pat Keasler Vess of 123 Balsam Rd., Union, passed away Monday, August 10, 2015 at his home after a period of declining health. Mr. Vess was born in Buffalo, March 12, 1936, a son of the late Frank and Jessie Mae Murphy Vess. He was a graduate of Union High School and retired from the South Carolina Dept. of Corrections. A member of Morningside Baptist Church, Mr. Vess was a member of the Gene Adams Sunday School class, a choir member and a former Deacon. He was also a veteran of the US Air Force. Mr. Vess was a fun loving guy. He loved to cut-up with people and make them laugh. He never met a stranger and he loved people. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Clemson Tigers. He would pull for the Gamecocks when not playing Clemson. He loved his family, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Tammy McCollum and husband Tommy of Jonesville; two sons, Barry Vess of Union and Larry Vess of Simpsonville; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Vess was predeceased by four brother and three sisters. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, August 13, 2015 at Morningside Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Dr. Aubrey Calvert. Burial with Military Honors will be at Union Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be SFC Derek W. Vess, Mr. Thomas "Blake" McCollum, Mr. Larry Leslie, Mr. Wyndle Kingsmore, Mr. Michael Fowler and Mr. Bill Davis. Members of the Gene Adams Sunday School class are asked to serve as the honorary escort. Visitation will be held Thursday, from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the church prior to the services. Memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 112 Bates Ave., Union, SC 29379. The family will be at the home, 123 Balsam St., Union.