MELVIN BLYTHER

BLYTHER MELVIN BLYTHER "Mel" January 19, 1948 - January 12, 2013 Mel grew up in Charleston, SC. His parents, Newman S. and Virginia Blyther, raised two boys - Mel and his brother, Eugene "Smokey" Blyther. Mel's parent's strong work ethic, and devotion to him and his brother inspired Mel throughout his longstanding career. Mel completed High school and attended S.C. Trade School (now known as Denmark Technical College). Anyone who knew Mel knew he loved the game of basketball. As a young adult, he played and won many trophies and accolades. Mel proudly served his country with the U.S. Army from April 16, 1968 to April 15, 1974. He served as a Radio Mechanic and did a tour in Viet Nam. His awards include an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, with Bronze Campaign Star, and two Overseas Service bars and Expert Rifle qualification on the M-14 & M-16. Even during his tour with the U.S. Army, Mel played basketball. After is tour with the Army, Mel settled in Harlem, New York City where he attained a job with Bankers Trust Company (now Deutsche Bank) where he worked and retired after 33 years. This is where he also met wonderful lifelong friends including his best friend Gary Frazier. Together, they partied, played ball, went to work, music shopped, and shared lifelong experiences. At an annual black tie event, Mel met and later married his wife Francine (Meanor) Blyther on February 18, 2000. They lived in New Jersey for seven years and then relocated to Northern Virginia. Never one to sit still, Mel gained employment with ADT security (now Tyco) where again he joined a family of great co-workers who have shown much love, respect and concern for each other. Their office potlucks, both competitive and non-competitive, were so special and dear to him. He lived and worked joyfully until he succumbed to heart failure at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. Mel leaves a legacy of family, friendship and hard work to his loving wife, Francine Blyther; his only and beloved son, Kevin L. Blyther; his devoted brother, Smokey Blyther (Pearline Blyther), Aiken, SC; first cousins, Robert Hutchinson (Catherine Hutchinson) North Charleston, SC, Henry Hutchinson (Louise Hutchinson), Sumter, SC, Frank Hutchinson (Helen Hutchinson), Bowie, MD, Isaiah Hutchinson (Edith Hutchinson), Middlesex, NJ, Virginia Hutchinson, Hillside, NJ, Rebecca Hutchinson, Hillside, NJ, Mary Matthews (Tanny Matthews), Goose Creek, SC, Janie Evans, Garland, TX and Irene Campbell, Garland, TX; a host of nieces and nephews; in-laws; father and mother-in-law, Frankie Meynard, Brooklyn, NY and Luemisher Meanor, Columbia, SC; brothers-in-law, Frankie Meanor, Atlanta, GA and Glenn Meanor (Alma Williams Meanor), Fairburn, GA; sisters-in-law, Debra Summers (George Summers), Branchville, SC, Nikkia Meanor, Baltimore, MD and Melody Meanor, Newark, DE.; and friends including his devoted, life-long friend, Gary Frazier. Services private.Mel leaves a legacy of family, friendship and hard work to his loving wife, Francine Blyther; his only and beloved son, Kevin L. Blyther; his devoted brother, Smokey Blyther (Pearline Blyther), Aiken, SC; first cousins, Robert Hutchinson (Catherine Hutchinson) North Charleston, SC, Henry Hutchinson (Louise Hutchinson), Sumter, SC, Frank Hutchinson (Helen Hutchinson), Bowie, MD, Isaiah Hutchinson (Edith Hutchinson), Middlesex, NJ, Virginia Hutchinson, Hillside, NJ, Rebecca Hutchinson, Hillside, NJ, Mary Matthews (Tanny Matthews), Goose Creek, SC, Janie Evans, Garland, TX and Irene Campbell, Garland, TX; a host of nieces and nephews; in-laws; father and mother-in-law, Frankie Meynard, Brooklyn, NY and Luemisher Meanor, Columbia, SC; brothers-in-law, Frankie Meanor, Atlanta, GA and Glenn Meanor (Alma Williams Meanor), Fairburn, GA; sisters-in-law, Debra Summers (George Summers), Branchville, SC, Nikkia Meanor, Baltimore, MD and Melody Meanor, Newark, DE.; and friends including his devoted, life-long friend, Gary Frazier. Services private.