Richard S. Melton Sr.

Richard S. Melton Sr., 65, of Grants Pass died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at Three Rivers Community Hospital. Interment will be held Thursday at noon at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Pacific Mountain Affiliate, 710 Second Ave., Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104. Melton was born Feb. 6, 1944, in Grants Pass to Harry and Opal Melton. In 1962, he graduated from Grants Pass High School. From March 31, 1964, until his honorable discharge on April 19, 1968, he served in the Navy, including two tours in Vietnam. He owned and operated Old Town Meat Company and Pizza Mill and worked many years at Josephine Memorial Hospital. He also worked in security for E&H and participated with the Elks Lodge bingo. On March 24, 2002, in Reno, he married Maxine Marie Ferrell, who survives him. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Elks, Eagles and Moose lodges. He enjoyed going on train rides with his wife, barbecuing for his family and friends, NASCAR, football, firearms, crafts, stamps, gardening and woodworking. In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Richard Melton Jr. of Agness, Steven Drake of Grants Pass, and Michael Beeghly of Dallas, Texas; three daughters, Angela Melton of Grants Pass, Kristina Drake of Reno, and Brenda Teack of Denver; and 10 grandchildren.