- Date Of Birth: July 31, 1935
- Date Of Death: December 17, 2015
- State: Georgia
Dr. Melvin Brown Hayden, Major (US Army retired), age 80, died peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Ansley Park Health & Rehabilitation Center, Newnan, GA. He was born in Altavista, VA on July 31, 1935 to the late Ralph W. and Rhoda Miller Hayden and grew up on a cotton mill village working in the weave room. He graduated from Ford High School, Laurens, SC, attended Clemson University, and then enlisted in the US Army (1954). His five years of enlisted service included duty as a Military Policeman and Photographer with the US Army Security Agency. Following completion of Officer Candidate School (Ft. Benning, GA, 1959), Hayden completed Airborne and Ranger Schools, Special Forces Training (1961). During three tours of duty in Vietnam he served as an advisor, Special Forces A Team Commander, and Adjutant, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Between Viet Nam tours, he was on active duty in Panama, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia. Hayden retired from active duty in 1974 with the rank of Major. A few of the many honors awarded during 20 years of military service include The Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Deal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Four Starts, and Senior Parachute Badge. Hayden spent the next twenty years working with the US Office of Personnel Management and US Treasury Department. He retired in 1995 having attained the civilian grade level of GS-14. Mel and Lucy married in 1992. He moved to Newnan, GA in 1996, and it was then that Mel Hayden began his incredible journey of volunteerism and community service. He joined the White Oak Golden K–Kiwanis Club and was an active member for over 19 years. He served with distinction twice as its President and as Division Lt. Governor for the GA District of Kiwanis. Mel was instrumental in organizing several Kiwanis Club including the Old Campbell and Wesley Woods Clubs, as well as the Kiwanis Club Satellite at Wesley Woods. Kiwanis accolades included induction into the Kiwanis International (KI) Heritage Society, KI Ruby K(10) Award, George Hixson Medallion, GA Leadership Medallion, Henry Heinz Award, and most recently, the prestigious KI TABLET OF HONOR. He often said that through Kiwanis he realized the true meaning of life-long learning and servant leadership. Dr Hayden was appointed as the first Executive Director of CLICK—Certified Literate is Coweta’s Key (1998-2003). During this time he led the process that resulted in Coweta County being declared a ‘Certified Literate Community’ by the GA Department of Adult and Technical Education. Mel actively devoted his time and resources to support military veterans, too: Life Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 27; The American Legion, Alvin Hugh Harris/Post 57; active alumni of OCS CLASS 2-59; and frequent participant in the VET-CONNECT Program with Newnan High School students. Mel laughingly said it only took him 19 years to complete an undergraduate degree! He earned a Bachelor in Business Administration, Campbell University, NC (1972); Masters Degree in Adult Education, NC State University (1975); and from Georgia State University-College of Education, a Specialist Degree in Career Development (1982) and Doctorate in Human Resource Development (1989). Lifelong learning, especially using all types of technology, avid reading, and fishing off the pier at St. Simons, GA were among his avocations in later life. Surviving him are his wife of twenty three years Dr. Lucille W. Hayden, sons Melvin D. (Angie) Hayden, Tallahassee, FL and Douglas M. Hayden, Atlanta, daughter Dana W. (Brett) Mitchell, Newnan; sister Virginia M. Ashmore and her son Michael, Laurens, SC; grandchildren James C. Hayden, Teresa Hayden, Christina (Ryan) Weaver, Mattlyn Mitchell; great grand-children Carly Spradlin and Austin Kunz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death are brothers Clyde Miller, Ralph Hayden, Leonard Hayden, and sister Thelma Miller.
