John William Melton Sr.

John William Melton, Sr, 89, of Hickory, died peacefully on October 16, 2016 at Carolina Rehabilitation in Connelly Springs. Born August 8, 1927 in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Lee Herbert Melton and Ruth Camp Melton. John retired from the US Navy and then worked at Com-Scope and Catawba Mall. He loved to travel with the Avion Travel Club and to military reunions. He attended First Baptist Church and sang in the senior adult choir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 60 years, Shirley Ellis Melton and sisters, Yvonnie Blackwood, Leona Hamby and Ellen Melton.

John is survived by his wife of 9 years, Johnnie Glenn Melton of Hickory; sons, John William Melton, Jr. and wife Pam of Texas, and Daniel Dwayne Melton and wife Suzanne of Oregon; daughters, Trisha Lee Dollery and husband Vernon of Texas and Cherie Lynne Gabier-Ponomey and husband Robert of Florida; step-son, Gary Glenn and wife Annette of Michigan; step-daughters, Susan Duncan and husband Phil of Gastonia, Janice Foushee of Maryland, Lola Bumbarger and husband Bill of Hickory, Terri Glenn of Colorado, and Angela Daughtrey and husband Pat of Hickory; brothers, Paul Othneal “Buck” Melton and wife Patti of North Wilkesboro and Charles Stewart Melton and wife Gwendolyn of Hickory; sisters, Alberta Miller and husband Rev. George Miller of PA, Barbara Jean Scronce and husband Billy Joe of Hickory; and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Hickory with Rev. Rendell Hipps officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. in the church parlor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church, The Baptist Men’s Group, 339 2nd Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601.

Condolences may be sent to the Melton family at www.drumfh-hickory.com.

Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be serving the Melton family.