John C. Mello, Jr., 73, of Columbia, died on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Born July 14, 1948, in Columbia, he was a son of the late John C. Mello and Dorothy May Rhodes Mello.

After graduating high school, John joined the US Army and went on to serve in the Vietnam War for two and a half years. Upon his return, he went on to work for the City of Columbia in many capacities before retiring. John was a member of Oasis Church in Augusta, GA and Grace Life Church in Columbia, SC.

Mr. Mello enjoyed bowling and was a part of various leagues for years at Royal Z Lanes. He also loved to dance and was a part of Yellow Rock in Columbia, Augusta Christian Singles in Augusta, GA, and the Upstate Christian Singles in Greenville for many years. During the years, the dance groups would often have theme dances, which he thoroughly enjoyed dressing up in costumes and going all out. John would also go on frequent trips with friends to the mountains and the beach. In recent years, he started to learn how to play pool, having played three times a week, and often making it a personal mission to find a place to play during his travels.

John was patient, kind, and a gentle, pure soul. He was a loving husband of 34 years to his late wife, Connie Sanders Mello, and a loving, devoted, and involved father to their children. John began a new journey in 2018, when he married Lisa Long at Pretty Place Chapel.

Survivors include children, Matthew Scott Mello (Lisa), Jonathan Brett Mello (Bailey), Jennifer M. Mello (Bradley Jones); stepchildren, Rachel Victoria Edwards (Kelli), Joshua David Edwards (Harley Marie Dye), Christian Nathaniel Edwards; grandchildren; Sadie Marie Mello, Emilia Grace Mello, Jordan Mello Wnek, Noah Shayne Jones, Ryan Eli Jones, Alaina Grace Rondeau, Axton Davey Edwards, Asher Luke Edwards, Jeremiah Beckum Reese, Emma Elizabeth Reese, Charlotte Kay Reese; Andrew Mueller; sisters, Jean Rhodes Gandy, Hallie Rose Strickland ( Sidney Woodrow "Woody"); brother-in-law, James "Jim" R. Sanders (Ann); along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and first wife, John is preceded in death by his sisters, Helen May Crawford, Doris Marie Green, and Sherrell Kay Lloyd.

The funeral service for Mr. Mello will be held 2 o'clock, Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. Burial with military honors will follow at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 1 o'clock. All are welcome to attend, however, masks and social distancing practices are encouraged.