Carl Mee

IIIPICKENS, S.C. Carl Mee III, 77, husband of Lynda Mee, died peacefully at home, with family, Sunday May 20, 2012.Born in Rockwood, Tenn., Friday, Jan. 25, 1935, the son of the late Carl Edward and Mary Florence Derrick Mee. Growing up in small towns in east Tennessee, Carl became interested at a young age in radios, science fiction, and mathematics. The family later moved to Chattanooga, where Carl graduated high school in 1953. He attended University of the South on a full scholarship, earning a B.S. in Mathematics in 1957. Carl served in the U.S. Air Force four years, attaining the rank of lieutenant.On July 8, 1961, Carl married Lynda Wood in Chattanooga; in 2011 they celebrated their 50th anniversary with their family at the beach in Manteo, N.C.After graduate study at the University of Virginia (M.A. Mathematics, 1964), Carl began work at Bellcomm, a division of AT&T Bell Laboratories. During his 30 years of service for Bellcomm (Washington, D.C.) and Bell Labs (Murray Hill, N.J.), among other accomplishments, Carl helped with the Apollo XI mission to the moon and the development of the UNIX operating system and touch-screen technology. After retirement, Carl and Lynda moved from New Jersey to South Carolina, settling in Pickens. During this time Carl continued his work on touch-screen technology.Throughout his well-lived life, Carl researched and enjoyed discussing a wide variety of interests, including quantum mechanics, genealogy, information systems, politics, poetry, and mathematics. He was never bored.Carl is survived by his wife, Lynda; children, Kathleen (Joe, Scott), Heather (Mike), Eric (Pam), and Alison (John); grandchildren, Evan, Grace, Ruth, Nina, Carl, Maxwell, Paul, Frank, and Lucas; siblings, Derrick (Karyl), Anne, and Mike (Donnette); numerous cousins, brothers-and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces; as well as many wonderful friends, especially Rod and Jef Berg, friends of almost 50 years; and their close friends at their church home, St. Michaels Episcopal.A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012 at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Easley.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1200 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642 or to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.