George Howard Melton, 95, born December 4, 1920, passed away June 18, 2016. He was born in Coolidge, Georgia, but at the age of 8, moved to Arcadia where he lived except for military service and pastoral assignments.
Howard was predeceased by his wife, Velma Keene Melton. He leaves three children: Dale H. Melton, Patricia J. Cooper, and Glenda S. Rich; Six grandchildren: Lisa Milburn, Robert Melton, Michelle Cooper, Kenneth Cooper, Kimberly Young and Heather White; and eight great-grandchildren: Jessica, Megan, Evan, Garrett, Anna Grace, Melissa, Poppy and Summer.
Mr. Melton graduated in 1939 with a diploma from DeSoto County High School. In 1965, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Trevecca Nazarene College.
He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and served churches in Punta Gorda, New Port Richey and Orlando, Florida, and in Thomasville, Georgia.
For 16 years, he wrote weekly articles about the history of Arcadia and DeSoto County for several of the local newspapers.
The DeSoto County Historical Society honored Howard and Velma by naming its library “The Howard and Velma Melton Historical Research Library.” Opened in 1995, the library is one of Howard’s dreams for preserving local history.
The culmination of his historical efforts was the publication of two books on local history: Footprints and Landmarks and More Footprints and Landmarks.
Memorial services will be held Friday, July 1, at 2 p.m. at The Pine Level United Methodist Church with The Reverend Brian Russell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Pine Level United Methodist Church, The Arcadia First Church of the Nazarene or The DeSoto County Historical Society.
Howard may be kindly remembered at icscremationandfunerals.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/icscremationandfunerals
I will never forget Howard. Around Easter in 1975 I was the proud Mother of a newborn son. We were in church that Sunday and Howard was singing the song "Because He Lives" as Easter was approaching. He came down from the stage and picked up my sleeping baby boy and held him while singing that song. "How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the love and joy he gives:" is a line from that famous song. Adam slept as he sang. He was such a gifted singer and such a dear man. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him and had the privilege of knowing him. I can only imagine that today, He has taken his place in a heavenly choir knowing he is home at last. We love you Howard and we will never forget you.
