Mr. Mel Paris

Mr. Harold Melford Paris, 93, passed away at his home on Monday, November 30, 2015 following a lengthy illness. He was a native of Alpharetta and graduated from Milton High School in 1939. After working as a bookkeeper for Berkeley Pump Co. in Atlanta, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. and became a B-17 pilot. While flying over Germany he was shot down and captured becoming a P.O.W. at Stalagluft III prison camp for exactly a year to the day. After the war he attended the High Museum of Art in Atlanta graduating with a Fine Arts degree. He continued his studies at the University of Georgia where he earned a Masters Degree in Art Education. Mr. Paris began his teaching career at Campbell High School in Fairburn, later becoming Assistant Director of Art Education. He retired after 30 years of service as Director of Art Education for Fulton County Schools. Mr. Paris was a long time member of Clear Springs Baptist Church where he was baptized as a preteen and where his Great-Grandmother, Grandparents, Parents and many ancestors are buried. Mr. Paris was preceded in death by his parents Ina and Harold Paris, first wife, Jeannette Garrard, daughter, Jeanna Paris Neely and sister Cleo Paris Herring. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Martha Prieto Paris and by his son, Mel L. Paris and wife Michael as well as his former son-in-law Adrien Neely. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer Cook (John), Caroline Brennan (Tim), David Neely (Elaine), Chase Paris (Lindsey), Preston Paris and Sally Paris. He is so proud of his great-grandchildren Caleb and Chloe Cook, Kyleigh Paris, Ashton Dingler, Bourke and Paris Brennan and Beau and Ellie Paris along with many Jones and Paris cousins, nieces and nephews he dearly loves. Funeral services will be held at Northside Chapel, Roswell, GA. on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 1:00pm. Family will receive visitors at 11:00am on Saturday until the celebration of life begins. Interment will follow at Clear Springs Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clear Springs Baptist Church, 11575 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022 or to the charity of your choice.

Mr. Mel Paris

December 13, 1921 - November 30, 2015