Melvin Roosevelt Bynum

Melvin R. Bynum was born 11-8-1932 in Columbus, Ohio and passed away on 12-30-2017 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. Melvin was a faithful member of the Unity Baptist Church of Columbus and was preceded in death by his parents, 10 brothers and sisters, son Melvin “Butch” Bynum, and grandson Rodney J. Bynum. Survived by wife Lisa; sons, James “Beanie” (Joi) Bynum and Rodney “Bo” Bynum; four grandchildren, Ty, Demetrius, Jasmine and Jade Bynum; eight great-grandchildren, Essence, Tylon, Amyah, Tya, Nyla, Moriah, Demetrius and Jameson; and two great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jan Houston, Debra, Cynthia and Jeretta Fain, and Lavette Bynum, and many other nieces, nephews, and friends. Melvin attended Columbus City Schools, graduating from South High and Central night schools. Upon graduation he worked at the Government Depot (which now is the Defense Supply Center Columbus - DSCC) as a warehouse worker for about three years until he was a part of a mandatory mass-layoff that gave his and several hundred other jobs to soldiers returning from the Korean War. He then went to work for the United States Post Office as a Railway Postal Clerk, a job he really loved, traveling from Columbus to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Atlanta and Tennessee. Melvin was working as a letter carrier on the Ohio State University campus when he retired from the Post Office in 1988 with 36 total years of federal service. After retirement, he worked for the Columbus City School Board as a bus driver for about 20 years when in 2009 he became ill. While driving for the school board, Melvin received many perfect attendance and safe driving awards and in October of 2017 he was honored and awarded his 50-year pin for membership in the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). As a young adult, Melvin played city league basketball until he was well into his 30s and then later took up bowling. Until he began treatment for his illness, Melvin was an avid bowler and bowled for more than 30 years in city leagues and out-of-state tournaments. Melvin achieved many bowling awards including games of 300, 299 and 298 as well as numerous 700 series awards. In 2001 he won the Senior’s Division of the Hoinke Classic (a national bowling tournament) with a 4-game scratch score of 996. Melvin was also an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and die-hard fan of the Cleveland Browns. Melvin enjoyed attending service at Unity Baptist Church and participated in most church activities and fellowships until recently when his illness advanced. He was loved by many Unity members and in 2015 was designated Member of the Year for his faithfulness and gentle presence. Melvin was a pleasant, kind gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him.