Melvin Alexander Bryant III, 82, of Decatur, Al passed away on Wednesday. Mr. Bryant was a native of Bessemer, Al and graduated from McAdory High School in 1953. He attended Alabama Polytechnic University from 1954 to 1959 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. As a student, he trained in the Air Force ROTC program, then went on to serve as an Officer in the US Air Force and was responsible for the overall operation and supervision of the Aircraft Ground Support Branch at Langley AFB, VA. After separation from the Air Force in 1962, he worked as a mechanical engineer and became a full time government employee at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in 1964. He worked in different capacities of aerospace design and manufacturing, including Chief of Space Shuttle Main Engine Production Engineering and Service Life Extension Manager before retiring from the government with more than forty years of service in January 2003. Melvin was the recipient of the NASA Silver Snoopy Award and received numerous Outstanding Performance and Group Achievement Awards.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Carol Garner Bryant; two sons, Lee Bryant and his wife Leann; Chad Bryant; his grandson Chandler Bryant; and sister Betty Bryant Lacy. Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Alexander Bryant Jr. and Jean Allred Bryant and brother, William Bryant.

Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm Friday 12/21, at Ridout's Brown's Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at the Funeral Home Saturday 12/22 at 11:00 am.