Melvin Ramsey

Melvin Ramsey was born on October 7, 1912 and died on December 12, 2010. He was a graduate of Gainesville High School, where he was a member of the football and swimming team. Melvin was one of the original lifeguards of Green Street Pool, when it opened in 1930. He taught many people to swim, and at one time was the Georgia State diving champion. In 1932, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Melvin's Red Cross Lifeguard Achievement Award. He continued with his love of swimming all of his life, and was remembered for sporting a Speedo, even at 98!


During World War Two, he served in the army as an aircraft mechanic in Calcutta, India. After returning from the war, Melvin had many occupations: postmaster, insurance salesman, vacuum cleaner salesman, poultry inspector, and dam builder.

Melvin loved to travel. He visited at least 5 continents and had driven to 48 states. He never met a stranger and still had friends, all over the world.



Melvin Ramsey will fondly be remembered driving by with his grey beard and overloaded car.



There will be a gathering of Melvin's friends on Wednesday at the Civic Center, in the Longstreet Room from 11:00