Lee Joseph Melton

Lee Joseph Melton died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at Baton Rouge GeneralMedicalCenter. He was a retired professor of economics at LSU. Born in Winnfield on Dec. 19, 1921, he grew up in Monroe, where he attended OuachitaParishHigh Schooland NortheastJunior College. After graduating from Louisiana Tech in 1942, he became a Naval aviator, serving in the American and Pacific theaters. Following graduate study, he taught for two years at the Universityof Floridaand then for 33 years at LSU. He was a member of UniversityMethodistChurch, Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Reserve. Lee is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Merkle of Shreveport; son, Donald L. Melton of The Woodlands, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Joseph and Jane Melton of Rochester, Minn.; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Darrylin Melton; and good friend, Joy Johnson of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by his brother, John Melton; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Hortense Peck Melton. A memorial service conducted by the Rev. J. Philip Woodland will be held at 2 p.m.Friday, Dec. 15, at UniversityUnitedMethodistChurch, with visitation prior to the service from 1 p.m.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to UniversityUnitedMethodistChurchor an organization of one's choice.