Obit of Melton, Howard B - Johnston County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 06 Mar 2011 Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::Portales Cemetery--Portales NM Melton, Howard B. Howard B. Melton, 92, of Portales died Thursday, May 24, 2007, in Portales. He was born March 31, 1915, in Durant, . He was a university professor. Survivors include two sons, Howard and John Melton. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Portales. Burial will follow in Portales Cemetery. Information: 356-4455. Published in the Clovis News Journal and the Portales News-Tribune on 5/26/2007. ========= Melton, Howard B. Funeral services for Dr. Howard B. Melton, 92, of Portales were held 2 P.M., Saturday, May 26, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Portales with Rev. Harry Riser officiating.? Burial followed in the Portales Cemetery with Vern Witten, Adam Gutierrez, Bob Matheny, Dan Stickland, Reid McCloskey and Brock McKinney serving as pallbearers.? Honorary pallbearers were Sandra Matheny, Ida Lou Witten, Delores Gutierrez, Jo Nell Brooks, the staff of the Bee Hive Home, the Vista Care Health Caregivers and the Eastern New Mexico University Retirees.? Those desiring to make memorial contributions may send them to the ENMU Foundation for the Melton Family Scholarship Fund, ENMU Station #8, Portales, NM 88130, phone 505-562-2412 or 888-291-5524. Dr. Melton was born March 31, 1915, in Durant, Okla., to Daisy (Phillips) and Gilbert Melton, and passed away early Thursday, May 24, 2007, in Portales.? Most of his early years were spent in and around Durant.? Following high school he went on to earn his BS from Southeastern State College of Oklahoma in 1937; an ME degree from Oklahoma University in 1948; a Doctorate of Education from Oklahoma University in 1958 and he had done post doctoral work at Columbia University. On Aug. 29, 1936, in Durant, Okla., he was married to Berniece Dodson. They enjoyed almost 67 years of marriage before her death on Aug. 8, 2004, and were the proud parents of two sons. From 1937-41 he served as a teacher-coach and high school principal in Atwood, Okla. At that time he entered the US Navy to serve during WWII as a Chief Petty Officer from 1942-45. Following his discharge he became an elementary school principal at Tishomingo, Okla. He later served as an elementary principal and superintendent of business in Midwest City, Okla. and then became Director of Instruction for the Carlsbad, N.M. schools.? In 1959 he began his career at ENMU as Director of Extension and Placement and Dean of Off-Campus programs and continuing education.? He also served as Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Personnel, Director of Teacher Education and Associate Academic Vice President for Off-Campus Programs and Adult Education. Howard officially retired in 1981 as Professor Emeritus of Education, and became the volunteer Vice President? Emeritus of Student Affairs.? His awards included the Distinguished Service Award in 1989.? He had been named to Outstanding Educators of America for his many contributions to higher education. Dr. Melton was a life member of the NEA, and a continuing member of both OEA and NMEA, and had a number of published articles in professional journals and periodicals. He was a member of the Society for the Study of Education, and Phi Delta Kappa, a national honor fraternity.? Howard was a member of Rotary Club in every community where he had lived and was Past President of the Portales club where he had been named as a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr. Melton was active in the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce where he served on the board and was a past president.? He also served on the Region IV Housing Commission for eight years, and was active in the Heart Fund.? For the United Fund he was a past president and campaign chairman, and also served on the hospital board in various capacities. At the First United Methodist Church he had been a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent.? He had served as a member of the Official Board at three churches and he also chaired the finance committee and the building committee.? Howard was also a Gideon. Dr. Melton was very proud of his long association with Boy Scouts of America, having attained the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man, and then going on to be involved as an adult. In 1961 he was named as Conquistador Council Boy Scouts of America Council Commissioner.? He had also received the prestigious Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given in scouting. In the community he was known for his daily visits to the local hospital, stopping in each room to greet patients and offer cheer and encouragement.? He was known to local children as the "Balloon Man," because he always had a pocket full to give out. Dr. Melton is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Joann Melton, of Chicago, Ill. and John and Julie Melton, of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren, Heather C. Melton and her husband, Rudy Mesicek, Patrick W. Melton and his wife Eebin, Anjali Melton and Elizabeth Melton; two great-grandchildren, Lukas M. Mesicek and Tai B. Melton; and a sister, Mary Frances Foster, of Albuquerque.? Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rowland and John Melton; and four sisters, Ruby, Edna, Lillian and Angie. Services were under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary in Portales, 505-356-4455. Published in the Clovis News Journal and the Portales News-Tribune from 5/26/2007 - 5/27/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html