Meliton Morales

The earthly struggle with a decade plus of essential tremors was quieted on Saturday, March 13, 2021 and another member of the greatest generation slipped into history as our beloved father and grandfather, affectionately known as Chico, passed away at his home.

Hours earlier, a Valor Ceremony, conducted by Hospice volunteers, called attention to his meritorious military service. That ceremony brought his children and grandchildren together for a celebration that would end shortly before he took his last breath.

Meliton was born in Seguin, TX to Anna Mendoza & Toribio Morales and was raised by his paternal grandmother, Estefana Morales. Drafted in 1945 at the age of 18, he completed basic training and quickly found himself aboard a troop transport ship making its way to post-war Europe and was plagued by seasickness enroute. It was in Germany that he met our mother, Magdalene “Leni” Reck. A six year courtship ensued and once the young soldier received orders to be shipped stateside, he and Leni were able to marry.

Pre-deceased by his wife, Leni, of 67 years, two sisters, Josefina & Gregoria, and half-brother Augustin Mendoza, Meliton is survived by his daughter, Dolores (the late Dr. Robert Steele) of Tallahassee, and sons Rolando (Dr. Katie Morales) of Rome, Ga., and Dr. Bert Morales (Tracy) of Tallahassee, FL, along with 8 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, with a third due to arrive in August.

As a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient from service in the Viet Nam war, Meliton’s military career included service in Iceland and a total of 3 tours in Germany. A communications instructor in radio and electronics, he spent the majority of his 26 plus year military career in Ft. Benning, GA where he retired as a Master Sergeant E-8 in 1971.

After residing in Columbus, GA for many years, he and Leni relocated to Tallahassee in 2012 where two of their children & their families resided. A lover of the outdoors, Meliton enjoyed fishing, sports, particularly football and baseball, and working in his yard.

It was his wish to be cremated with some of his ashes to be spread at the farm owned by his daughter and late son-in-law. He will be interred, along with his wife’s cremains, at the National Cemetery of Tallahassee. No service is planned until the time of internment.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Elder Care Services, 2158 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304 or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Both agencies were instrumental in allowing Meliton to remain in his home until his death, which had been his wish.

A deep, special, and heartfelt thank you is directed toward his caregivers, Irish Johnson, Pam Williams, and Frankie Williams who gave him exceptional loving care.