George Euripides Melonas

George Melonas of Chapin, SC, our beloved father, passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Lexington Hospital. He was 93 years old. He was born on January 2, 1928, the third of seven children, to Christ Efstratios Melonas and Antiope Sevastou Melonas. He is predeceased by his sisters, Vaness Pachis of Deerfield Beach, Fl, Mary Ellie Lewis of Columbia, Areadne (Roddy) Anestos of Savannah, GA and brother, Veron S Melonas of Columbia. George is survived by two brothers, Franklin R Melonas (Jana) and Angelo Melonas (Linnea), both of Columbia; brother-in-law, Earnest Pachis of Athens, Greece; sisters-in-law, Nita B Flowe of Greenwood, SC and Barbara Batton of Aiken, SC.

George lived a life of service to his country, the City of Columbia, his family and friends. At the early age of 17, he joined the US Navy near the end of WWll and was stationed to the Pacific Theater. After leaving the Navy, he returned to Columbia working for McCormick Funeral Home. He found himself in uniform again, by serving the City of Columbia with The Columbia Fire Department at the Main station. This was to become his career. After 35 years, he retired as Assistant Chief Melonas. He then worked with his brother, Veron, at The Elite Epicurean Restaurant on Main St, Columbia and serving the community and patrons from everywhere with delicious Greek food, drink, and music at the annual Main St Jazz event. George was a Mason and an Altar Boy and lifetime member of the Orthodox Church.

He was married in 1951 to Lillian Virginia Batton of Greenwood, SC. They were married for 51 years until she passed away. George is survived by their five children, Karen E Wells (Doug) of Charleston, SC, Christie L Watson (Charles), George E Melonas, Jr (Cindy), Maria V Bates (Richard), and D Stratton Melonas (Jenny) all of Lexington, and by his grandchildren, Douglas Wells, Jr, Hali Wells, Matthew Watson, Meredith Everett (Ryan), Alex Watson (Sandra), Nick Watson (Jamie), Stephen Melonas (Laura), Savannah Melonas, Sophia Bates, Sarah McNab, Lily and David Melonas and Brent Garner. He was blessed with 9 great-grandchildren.

His children live to be measured by the man he was. May his memory be eternal.

Visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC on Tuesday evening, June 1, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. with Trisagion Prayers beginning at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, June 2, 2021 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1931 Sumter St, Columbia, SC followed by interment in Crescent Hill Memorial Park, 2603 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC. Flowers will be accepted by Dunbar Funeral Home at 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 and memorials may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1931 Sumter St, Columbia 29201.