Larry Leon Melton

Larry L. Melton died after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s on August 19,2024 in Odessa,Texas.

Larry was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma on July 17, 1938, to Yvonne & Leon Melton. After graduating from Odessa High School in 1956 he married the love of his life, J’Nevelyn Williams Melton on September 3, 1960. They were blessed with a loving family: his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Steve Porter, son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Becky Melton; grandchildren Tory and David Krawczynski, Alison and Denver Pradon, Nash and Katie Porter, John Melton and Cate Melton; and six great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Campbell, Dax, Wells, Porter, and Trey. He was also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Margo and Powell Campbell, sister-in-law, Cindy Pass and numerous nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Texas Tech University with a double major in Industrial Engineering and Math, he served as a Lieutenant in the Army. He was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was discharged as a Captain. After a brief career in oil and gas, he went on to an extended career in banking and accounting. His true passion, however, was serving his community by involvement in various leadership and civic organizations. Larry was awarded various recognitions, including Odessa’s Outstanding Citizen, Heritage of Odessa Foundation Community Service, Boy Scouts Man-of-the-Year, Best of the Permian Basin, the Rotary Wall of Fame, Odessa’s Outstanding Young Man, and the Bill Elms United Way Award, to name a few. Serving on the Medical Center Health System Foundation Board was one of his proudest moments, as he served alongside his granddaughter, Alison.

He found his true calling as an Odessa City Councilman followed by 11 years as the Mayor of Odessa. He stepped down as the city's longest serving mayor. Known as an incredible public speaker, he gave 864 speeches during his tenure as mayor. He often joked that he and J’Nevelyn ate more banquet chicken dinners than humanly possible. During his final interview as mayor, he said that he was most proud of being able to renegotiate the contract with the Colorado River Municipal Water District, leaving Odessa independent to find their own water source. Larry also was known for the “Melton Clap” – one clap to recognize greatness. Please join us in giving him one clap for a life well lived.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm at First Methodist Odessa on Friday, August 23, 2024.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to Dr. Abdul Kadir and to Dr. Stephanie Kubacak for their care and compassion to Larry.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Larry Melton Fund at Medical Center Health System Foundation or The Larry Melton Graduation Scholarship at Odessa College Foundation.

Medical Center Health System Foundation

500 West 4th Street

Odessa, TX 79761

Odessa College Foundation

201 West University

Odessa, TX 79764