John Iv

John Thomas Tom Melton, IV passed away on December 16, 2014, in Midland. A man who brought himself up by his own boot straps.

Tom was born in El Paso Texas on April 30, 1928 to Blanche Daphene Coston Melton, and John Thomas Melton III. Tom didnt talk much about his early life except for the occasional story about the rare treat of having a dime to take to the movie, the walk from his boarding house to the UT campus to attend class, the joy of having a friend in college who owned a car. Although Tom grew up poor, he made sure that his family never wanted for anything.

Two years after graduating from UT with a degree in business. Tom arrived in Odessa with a wife Dorothy and a new baby Tommy and 75 in his pocket, where he joined the Britton Moman Insurance Agency. A few years later 1963, Tom and Lloyd Moman acquired control and renamed the agency Moman Melton. In 1980, Tom assumed control of the agency and it became Melton Insurance Associates. The storms, which come to West Texas quite frequently, always found Tom outside watching the skies for hail or strong winds that might damage a customers property. When a customer called Tom at home at night to report a car accident he always asked first if everyone was okay and then reassured the customer that he would take care of everything.

Toms business flourished and in 1982, he brought his son, Tommy, into the business. The business experienced fantastic growth and Tom retired from the insurance business in 1997, when Tommy bought him out. Tom avidly supported his city of Odessa and campaigned to have UTPB a win and the airport a loss located there rather than in Midland. In 2004, Tom found himself moving to that city to the east to live in Manor Park where, to his dismay, he found the citizens to be some of the nicest people he had met. At Manor Park, Tom became a member of two weekly Mens Coffee Clubs which grew and flourished in no small part due to his gregarious nature. Tom leaves many friends and true companions among those in the coffee clubs.

In 1945, Tom attended the Texas College of Mines where he found his studies interrupted by the Korean War. Tom spent 18 months in the army serving in a medical unit stationed in Korea. In 1950, Tom graduated from the University of Texas, an allegiance he claimed no matter how the schools teams performed. He loved to hunt and fish with all his old buddies, and faithful bird dogs Wendy and Rip. Lots of good times where had in the field.

During his career, Tom was the President of his beloved Permian Panthers Boosters Club. Tom was also President of: Odessa Kiwanis Club, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Odessa YMCA and Gonzales ParentTeacher Club. Tom was the Finance Chairman of the Lutheran Church Board, ViceChairman of Medical Center Hospital and Chairman of the UTPB Acquisition Committee. Tom also served on the Odessa Housing Authority, the board of directors of Sheets Eye Foundation Board and the board of directors of the Bank of The Southwest, Odessa. Tom was also a founding Board member of First Savings Loan in Odessa.

Tom was preceded in death by his son, Barry Melton.

He is survived by his son, Tommy Melton and his wife Jerri daughter, Dana Melton and his daughter, Melinda Lea and her husband Clark grandchildren, Christi and her husband Troy, Jennifer, Tommy, Tyler, Libby and her husband Garrett and Connor and a great grandchild, Graham.

Special thanks to Martha Ramirez, Manda Ramirez, Minerva Martinez, Stephanie Martinez, Marybel Adama and Mirella Chavez for their care of Tom these past few years.

Burial will be at 9:00 am, Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Gardens
A Memorial Service will follow at 10:30 am. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Christ Church Anglican, 5501 Midkiff Rd., Midland, TX, with The Reverend Henry Pendergrass officiating.

Memorials may be sent to Christ Church Anglican, 5501 N. Midland Dr., Midland, TX 79705, Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701, Odessa Family YMCA, 3001 E. University, Odessa, TX 79762, or UTPB Athletics, Development Office, 4901 E. University, Odessa, TX 79762.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

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