Melvin "Skeet" Fair

March 28, 1919 - March 18, 2013

Melvin L. (Skeet) Fair, formerly of Cochran, passed away March 18, 2013 in Bradenton, Florida. He was born March 28, 1919 in Cochran, Georgia to the late Will and Ida Lanfair Fair. He graduated from Cochran High School and was attending Middle Georgia College when he was called to serve his country in 1943. He joined the U.S. Army Corps, where he was a Master Sergeant at Sheppard Field, Texas. Upon completion of his military duty, he graduated from the University of Georgia. In 1957 he married Marjorie Cumming, and they resided in Thomasville, GA until moving to Bradenton, FL in 1960. He spent his career with Sears and Roebuck, where he managed the catalog division and opened numerous catalog stores throughout the south. He owned Fair-way Carpet Cleaners in Bradenton, which he operated until the age of 83. Mel was a man of many talents and interests. He was a dedicated Georgia Bulldog, and loved the friendly rivalry he shared with his grandchildren who attended Florida State and the University of Florida. As a young man, he was a sports reporter for the Cochran Journal and a stringer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He was a talented photographer, an avid fisherman, and loved playing golf and tennis. He enjoyed spending time in his greenhouse, cultivating orchids and native plants, which he loved to share with his family and friends. In 2002, he was predeceased by Marjorie, his loving wife of 45 years. He is survived by his two daughters, Anne Fair and Jayne Giroux of Bradenton, FL and his son son-in-law, Peter. His greatest joys in life were his three grandchildren, Elizabeth Giroux of Atlanta, and Alex and Griffin Girous of Bradenton. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Nell Ivey of Warner Robins, GA and his sister-in-law, Geraldine Fair of Cochran; nieces, Laurie Ivey of Denver, and Gay (& Dennis) Runnion of Atlanta and nephews, Kenny (& Wanda) Thompson of Cochran and Tony Fair of Statesboro. He was predeceased by two brothers, James and Willie Fair. Mel stayed positive, happy and active until the final days of his life. He was a loving, and much loved, husband, father, uncle and friend. He will always reside in our hearts, and we take great comfort in knowing that he is now with Marjorie, the love of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, 1760 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 of the Arthritus Foundation, 410 12th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Graveside services will be held in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cochran on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 11:00 A.M.