Mr. Nichols Joseph Melton, of Charlotte, NC, died April 16, 2018, due to complications from a stroke. Nick, the middle of three brothers, was born June 2, 1926 in Danville, VA, to a Pentecostal Holiness Church preacher – the late Bishop Thomas A. Melton - and his wife, the late Emma Elizabeth Young Melton.
Shortly after his birth, Nick and his family moved to Marion, NC. While in Marion Nick’s family, based on the hobo marks in their yard, earned a reputation for feeding the drifters passing near Marion on the freight trains- this despite the family’s own difficult situation.
After a few years in Marion, the family moved to and settled in Durham, NC, where Nick spent most of his youth. After graduating from Durham High School, Nick took a job at Woolworth’s Dept. store as a stocker. Not long after, he was drafted into the Army, where he served in Europe as an infantryman in the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division. He ended the war as a Staff Sergeant, and declined an offered battlefield commission so that he could return home when his enlistment was up. He’d had quite enough of war, though much later he did write a self-published book on his experiences titled “Drafted at Eighteen, Reminiscing at Eighty.”
When he returned home from the war, he used the G.I. bill to enroll at Duke University, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he began work with Duke Power Company in their transmission department. Nick retired from Duke as Manager of Apparatus and Advanced Engineering, and their resident national PCB expert, after a 36 year career.
Always a generous man, Nick was a faithful Christian – spending countless hours over the years doing the work of the Lord as a deacon, deacon chairman, church treasurer, and church volunteer and general handy-man. Perhaps his favorite Sunday worship activity though was singing in a choir. While he played regularly the piano and the old family pump organ, singing in a church choir never lost its luster. He shared his faith also by volunteering for 26 years in the cardiac cath, lab at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, and with Friendship Trays.
Nick was a regular traveler well into his 80’s. He visited many parts of the U.S., as well as Canada, Central America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe and the British Isles on several occasions.
He was an avid reader, as well as a prankster, to the occasional annoyance of some of those around him. He enjoyed playing golf, and doing his own vehicle maintenance- sometimes changing the oil or brake shoes with his son or daughter perched nearby, watching intently.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents; his beautiful wife Betty (Hamrick) Melton; his brothers Thomas Melton, Jr. and Dr. Culbreth Young Melton; and an infant sister. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Hamrick Melton and Cary Anne Melton of Davidson, NC; daughter Dr. Mary Elizabeth Melton of St. Paul, MN; and grandchildren Claire Elizabeth Melton and Gwyneth Hamrick Melton of Davidson.
To the best son, soldier, husband, father, Christian, engineer, volunteer, world traveler, author, brother, father and grandfather. We’ll see you again someday, but until then - We’re going to miss you.
“Then I heard a voice from Heaven say ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord … they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”
Rev. 14:13
“While gazing on that city, just o'er the narrow flood, A band of holy angels came from the throne of God. They bore him on their pinions safe o'er the dashing foam, And joined him in his triumph: Deliverance has come!”
“Palms of Victory.” Author Unknown
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte NC 28206 or an organization of your choosing in Mr. Melton's name.
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