James Walter Melcher, age 91 passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Canon Hospice in Gulfport, MS. James was retired from the Air Force and IBM, and was a long time resident of Columbia MS where he enjoyed the outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay Duncan Melcher in 2011. James is survived by his four sons, Joe Speights, Alfred Melcher, Mark Speights and Jimmy Melcher; his sister, Shirley Cirello; and brother, Mike Childress. He is also cherished and is survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren, including: Autumn, Cheyenne and Curtis, who lived locally with James and enriched his life.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday, July 26, 2019 from 5:30pm until 6:30pm at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia. A celebration of life service will begin at 6:30pm in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Brian Stewart presiding.