Arne Melson's Obituary
Arne Ingvald Melson, 76, of Hallsville, TX, passed away on December 6, 2025. Visitation will be Thursday, December 11th, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, TX. Services will be held Friday, December 12th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rader Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Hemphill and Jody Garner officiating. Interment will follow at Gum Springs Cemetery in Longview.
Arne was born in New Orleans, LA, on August 4, 1949. He attended Clifton L. Gaines School and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1967. Growing up in New Orleans, he worked alongside his brothers at Melba, the family ice cream business. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1965, and during his years in Boy Scouts, he developed a lifelong love of hiking and the mountains out West.
Following high school, Arne attended Louisiana Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. The summer after graduation, he worked on his uncle’s farm in Iowa and then set out to explore the West before beginning his career at SWEPCO.
Arne began his professional career as a mechanical engineer at SWEPCO’s Knox Lee Power Plant near Longview. In 1974, he was transferred to Shreveport, LA, where he served in the same role at the Arsenal Hill Power Plant. He returned to East Texas in 1977 as the resident engineer at the Welch Power Plant near Daingerfield and later at the H.W. Pirkey Power Plant. In 1985, he became Assistant Plant Superintendent at Pirkey, quickly rising to the role of Plant Superintendent. He retired in 2009 after a devoted 37-year career with SWEPCO/AEP.
On August 14, 1976, Arne married Deborah (Debbie) Brooks of Bossier City, LA. The following year, they moved to Pittsburg, TX, where they lived for five years before settling in Hallsville in 1981. Arne was active in the Hallsville community, serving as a Deacon and teaching Bible classes at Hallsville Church of Christ, was a member of the United Way, and the Lions Club of Hallsville. He was also a faithful member of Pine Tree Church of Christ, volunteering weekly at the Caring and Sharing Ministry.
Arne was deeply involved in his children’s activities. He enjoyed trail riding and watching them participate in various horse events. As they grew older, he found great joy in watching them show cattle. As he became a grandfather, that joy multiplied. Arne cherished every moment spent with his granddaughters—teaching, encouraging, and cheering them on in all they did. He especially loved teaching them the art of painting on canvas and having them in his shop, where they spent countless hours building and creating. After retirement, Arne and Debbie loved traveling to states west of the Mississippi. They especially cherished their time in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, camping in their RV and riding trails in their off-road vehicle.
Arne was an avid reader, particularly of books on ancient history, World War II, and the early exploration of the United States. He also spent time each day reading and studying the Bible.
Arne is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Einer Melson and Margaret Sponheim Melson. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Deborah (Debbie) Brooks Melson; his son, Samuel (Sam) Brooks Melson of Hallsville, TX; and his daughter, Sarah Melson Kimball, and son-in-law, Tony Kimball, of Wimberley, TX. He is also survived by four granddaughters—Tobi Melson, Graci Melson, Ruthi Melson, and Aster Kimball; brothers Harald Melson (Denair) of Franklin, TN; Chris Melson (Pam) of Georgetown, TX; Lars Melson (Anita) of Montrose, CO; Pete Melson (Belinda) of Brandon, MS; and sister Ingrid Melson Trout (Scott) of Stafford, VA; as well as his mother-in-law, Wanda Brooks of Bossier City, LA, and sister-in-law, Karen Brooks of Bossier City, LA. He leaves behind eleven nieces and nephews, five special Sponheim cousins, many Melson cousins, and a host of exceptional friends.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Matei Socoteanu and Christy Williams, at Texas Oncology, as well as the staff of Chambers Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Caring and Sharing Ministry through Pine Tree Church of Christ.
Arne endured many health challenges, yet he met each one with calm determination and a steadfast faith, seeing them as “just another bump in the road.” Arne leaves behind a legacy of deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and abiding love for his family.
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