Grady Melton, Jr.'s Obituary
GRADY MELTON, JR.
A memorial service for Grady Melton, Jr. will be held Monday July 28, 2003 at 2:00 PM at the Alpine Presbyterian Church in Longview under the direction of Rader Funeral Home. A private family graveside service at Alpine Cemetery will precede the memorial service. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, July 27th from 6 to 8 PM at Rader Funeral Home. Mr. Melton passed away Friday morning at his home following a lengthy illness.
Grady Melton was born in Collin County, Texas on January 26, 1920 to Grady and Lucretia Greene Melton. After graduating from the Demonstration High School at North Texas State University in Denton, he earned bachelor?s and master?s degrees in education from North Texas. Mr. Melton served in the Army Air corps during World War II and was stationed at the Pentagon. During Mr. Melton?s teaching career, he taught in Canton, Sweetwater, Carlsbad, New Mexico and Marshall before completing his thirty-four year career with the Longview I.S.D.
Mr. Melton raised registered shorthorn cattle and served on the state board of directors of the State Shorthorn Association. He was presented the Pioneer Breeder Award for continuing shorthorn blood lines dating back to his great grandfather?s cattle driven from Missouri generations ago.
Mr. Melton also raised timber and served on the board of directors for the Gregg County Farm Bureau. He received the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award for his contribution to agriculture and was also recognized by the Soil Conservation District for his efforts.
As a member of the Alpine Presbyterian Church, Mr. Melton was named Elder Emeritus in 2001. He was also a member of the Texas Retired Teacher?s Association and the Oil Belt Farm and Ranch Club.
Mr. Melton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lou Ann: one son, Mickey Melton and his wife Rebecca; three granddaughters, Ann Crews Melton, Emily Mackey Melton, and Elizabeth Michael Melton all of Longview; two brothers, Whit and Killis Melton of McKinney. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dolph and Marvin Melton and a sister, Lula Emily Haralson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Marshall Pitner, Harold Stone, Lawrence McKelvey, Jerry Lucy and Dr. Scott Hunter.
Memorials may be made to the Alpine Cemetery Fund, 3100 Airline, Longview, TX 75605, The Longview ISD Foundation, P.O. Box 3268, Longview, TX 75606 or to Hospice Longview, Inc., 1306 Pine Tree Rd. Longview, a TX 75604.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to the care givers, Ruby Pierson, Maria Sartain, and Helen Bailey.
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