Palmer Melton

Henry Palmer Melton, Jr., a native Houstonian and prominent Houston businessman, died at the age of 90 on November 1, 2026. Palmer loved the challenges of business enterprise, all things outdoors, and his family.

Born at St. Joseph Hospital on September 8, 1936, Palmer was the son of Dorothy and Henry Palmer Melton, Sr. At age 12, Palmer’s mother died and he moved into the role of part-time father to his younger siblings, as well as his father’s business assistant. He learned the value of hard work at a very young age and had a lengthy resume by the time he was 18 – newspaper carrier, bee keeper, yard boy, oil field shooter. He loved danger and sweat. By the time he was 21, he had added, ranch hand, filling station owner, and Houston police clerk.

A graduate of San Jacinto High School, Palmer attended Rice University, but was forced to leave to run his father’s business. He graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in accounting.

Following graduation and employment with national accounting firms, Palmer and his brother Talley co-founded the CPA firm Melton & Melton over six decades ago. The firm grew to be a leader in tax and auditing services and has been recognized as a top accounting firm in Houston and the region. Palmer took great pride in Melton & Melton, its employees, and its services to Houston businesses.

He was known for his integrity, his incredible work ethic, his honesty and his ability to lead and to inspire. Young accountants learned from his example, and he worked hard to help his clients achieve success. He was admired and respected throughout the Houston business community. Palmer was working at his office within several weeks of his passing.

A man of unlimited energy, Palmer loved the outdoors. He learned to hunt from his father, who was a champion skeet shooter and duck hunter, and fished the Texas Gulf Coast with his many friends. He hunted deer all over South Texas and Mexico and quail wherever he could find a good lease. He trained English pointers and retrievers. He loved pickup trucks and fishing boats and, although a self-proclaimed “terrible pilot” owned his own private aircraft.

With all of his work and sporting activities, Palmer remained devoted to his family, and they are devasted by his loss. He leaves his wife of 42 years Dolores who adored him; his daughter, Dottie Laster, her husband John and children Stephanie and Blake, as well as Blake’s wife Gwen and children Saoirse, Maeve, Aralyn and Atreus; his daughter Caroline Williams, her husband, Kevin, their children Hayden, Rachel and her husband Allan, Annie and Evan; his son Chris, his wife Stephanie and their children Samantha and Wyatt. Also

grieving Palmer’s loss are his brother Talley, his wife Carolyn and their children Macy and Mandy; his sister Mill and her son Alex; and his sister Marge and her daughters Marisa and Meredith.

Palmer also leaves behind countless friends, a testament to the lives he touched.

Visitation for Palmer will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at St. Francis Episcopal Church. A reception will follow.