Melvin L. Minnix

Melvin Leo (Hank) Minnix, Major, United States Air Force (Ret.), went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2009. He died surrounded by family and friends in his home in Leesburg, Fla. Hank was a devout Christian and was a member of the Haines Creek Baptist Church. He was loved and admired and known for his warmth and compassion. He will be greatly missed. Hank was predeceased by his first wife, Lucille Slater Minnix; his parents, Jesse and Allie Minnix, of Salem, Va.; and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Clarene "Beth" Minnix (Chavis); his children, Bradley Minnix, Steven Minnix and Leslie King; and his sisters, Violet Long, Barbara Bower and Cecelia Pruitt. Also, Hank had six grandchildren, Michael Minnix, Spencer Steinman, Kelly Steinman, Erin Minnix, Trevor Minnix and Jacob Rodriguez. Long time friends, Charlie and Pat Voss, of Thomasville, Ga., will also sorely miss him. Hank and Charlie had an enduring friendship spanning 40 years. Some of Hank's many accomplishments include completing Basic Training Center #10 in Greensboro, N.C.; Cadet School in Maxwell, Ala.; and Flight Line Training in Mississippi. He then went on to attend Syracuse University. After 21 years of military service, Hank retired as a Major in the Strategic Air Command where he led a squadron of KC-97 in-flight refueling tankers. Hank's home town was Salem where he once contributed to local history by flying an Army training airplane low over the Main Street of Salem thereby causing more than one lady to faint. Taps was played as a military honor guard escorted his remains into Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, Fla., on August 27, 2009.