Melvin Emory Hare, 88, entered into eternal rest with his Lord on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the CarePartners Solace Center. He died on Little Bit’s Birthday.
A native of Buncombe County, he was born on March 4, 1930. He was the son of the late John E. Hare and Lillian Hare. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Peggy Forrester Hare; sister and brother-in-law, Betty Jo Towe and John Towe.
Melvin was a graduate of Valley Springs High School and had attended 12 years of school with perfect attendance. He was employed with Sayles Biltmore Bleacheries for 42 years, advancing to plant Superintendent, a position he held until the plant’s closing in 1991. He maintained a strong work ethic and was known to be a man that exemplified fairness and honesty as a supervisor. He developed many friendships along the way at Sayles and still enjoyed the annual Breakfast Reunions at J&S each year.
Melvin loved his church, Oteen Baptist. He served there for 64 years in several capacities; Sunday school teacher, choir member, committee member, and past Sunday School Superintendent. He was a true servant of the Lord.
Melvin enjoyed several hobbies including wood working and building model airplanes, many from blueprints. He was a member of the Asheville/Buncombe Aeromodelers, enjoying many hours flying (and sometimes crashing) planes that he built. He was referred to as a master craftsman by members of the club.
He took pride in his freshly mowed yard, spending many an afternoon on his lawn mower! He loved flowers and added more bulbs and blooms to the flowerbeds each year. He loved to talk to folks, often asking about their kin, finding out if he knew their relatives! Many of his long-time friends knew that Ol’ Melvin loved to “get one over on you”! Steve and Jim were just two of his many friends that knew to watch out-Melvin was ready with his quick wit to get them good!
We would be amiss if Little Bit, his beloved Chihuahua, did not receive special recognition at this time. Little Bit was his God-sent canine companion, who gave him many years of pleasure.
Surviving are his daughter, Kim Isley (Fred); his granddaughter, Alicia Brockman (Ben) and his great granddaughter, Payten Brockman; special cousin, Marion Riddle, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Monday, November 19, 2018 at 2:00pm at Oteen Baptist Church with Rev. James Lamb, Rev. Ron Brown, and Rev. Joe Steadman officiating.
The family will receive friends from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the church prior to the service.
Burial will be in Mountain View Memorial Park.
Flowers are acceptable and appreciated or memorial contributions in Melvin’s memory may be made to Oteen Baptist Church, PO Box 9128, Asheville, NC 28815.

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