John Melville

No

After White Pigeon high school, I joined the army and served for almost 29 years. I relocated 26 times and have been to Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras Panama and South Korea. I have also lived in 12 states. I have visited many wonderful places, as well as some I would rather forget. All in all, it was a wonderful life.

After retirement, we moved back to White Pigeon in October, 2000. During that time we became members of White Pigeon Church of Christ and our entire family was baptized.

My educational tract was a bit different than most because of military and family requirements. I earned an associates degree in 1985. My wife and I went back to school in 1998 at the Wayland Baptist University campus on base in San Antonio, TX and Honolulu, HI. Felicia graduated in 1999, and I in 2000. A few years ago, Felicia attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a master's degree in special education (severe and multiple disabilities). I earned my master's degree in 2017 from the University of Management and Technology, with a concentration in project management.

We have a family that contains mine, hers, ours and theirs. My oldest is Johnny, who is now 40. Felicia came with two kids Jason and Tasha who are 30 and 29. We had Sarah, who is 26. We then adopted Jocelyn from Guatemala a few years ago and she is now 26. We adopted Anthony, Larissa, Michelle, Emma and Benjamin out of foster care, and here we are.

We live in a town that most people have never heard of, and that’s OK by me. We have a great church, our favorite restaurants, a great family doctor and live on a quiet street.

I volunteer with the South Carolina Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Association to provide free assistance to those in need. All the glory for our efforts belongto God.

It does not get much better than this.

I ran with Tony Welti, Bobby Strawser, Jay Nihart and Kenny Miller. Jay lived close to me and we had alot of fun on the farm.

I still can remember in 7th grade when Tony Welti and I were the only boys in the typing class. I think the teacher had pity on us.

Lisa Mowry may not remember, but one year at Halloween Tony and I raided her house, soaped her windows and TPd her trees while she protested.