Melvin Madaris

FORT OGLETHORPE Melvin Eugene Madaris, 79, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, in a local hospital.He was a native and lifelong resident of North Georgia. Mr. Madaris was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga where he was a member of the choir. He was a retired supervisor from Combustion Engineering and owner of Madaris Exteriors. Mr. Madaris started directing choirs at the age of 21 and led music in numerous churches. He loved Southern Gospel music and sang with the Madaris Family as well as several other quartets for over 50 years. He was a 1949 graduate of Rossville High School where he was a star football player and a member of the track team. Mr. Madaris also played baseball with several baseball leagues and was an avid golfer. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Army. Mr. Madaris was a 50 year member of Crawfish Springs Masonic Lodge 300 F&AM.Survivors are his wife, Marchetta Madaris; sons, Mel (Paulina) Madaris, Tim (Tammie) Madaris; brother, Robert L. (Bobbie) Madaris, Gulf Shores, Ala.; sister, Betty (Jack) Saunders; grandchildren, Jeff (Tiffany) Madaris, Brittany (Jordan) Bischell, Danielle Madaris, Lauren Madaris, Jeremy (Stephanie) Madaris and Cara (Matt) Gouger; four great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bill Stafford and the Rev. Chris Ehlers officiating.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family and view the memorial tribute.The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.