Eddie Jenkins Melton

Mr. Eddie J "Pop" Melton peacefully departed this life on December 16, 2014, to be once again with his wife of 64 years, Juanita. He was born in Sturgis, Kentucky on January 30, 1922, as the sixth of seven children born to Sherman and Jessie Melton. He completed high school in Sturgis, then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University, Murray, KY. During World War II he was a member of the Army Air Force Band. Upon his return from WWII, he taught music in Mississippi at Picayune, Brookhaven, and in the Jackson area. In the early 1950s Mr. Melton obtained his Masters of Music Education from Louisiana State University. In 1950 he married Juanita Barron. They had two sons, Larry and Dwight. The family moved from Jackson, MS to Lake Charles, LA in 1964. Here, Eddie taught music in the Lake Charles area for approximately 10 years. After retiring from teaching, he became a piano technician/tuner and ran his own business, Melton's Piano Service, for almost 30 years. He was an active member of numerous music education organizations, a member of Phi Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity, played in the Lake Charles Community Band and several local dance bands, and was a long time member of the Habibi Shriners of Lake Charles. He was an active member of University United Methodist Church of Lake Charles for nearly 50 years, where he sang in the choir and was program chairman of the United Methodist Men's Club for many years. Eddie's love for music was reflected in his performance and teaching of it, which brought many happy years to many people. Big Band Era music was his favorite and in his younger years he played with some of the great leaders of that Era. He will be remembered by many for his love of music, people, playing games, golf, animals, and last, but not least, his great sense of humor. He was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita, all of his siblings, and his younger son, Dwight. Survivors are his son Larry Melton of Davis, CA, and his granddaughter Alison Melton Fazelian and grandson-in-law Kyle Fazelian of Lincoln, CA. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the staff of the Gardens and Guardian House of Lake Charles, and to Dr. Peter Karam, who loved and took wonderful care of Mr. and Mrs. Melton over last year. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday January 2, 2015 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial services will be at 1:00 PM at the funeral home with the Rev. Charlie Langford officiating. His ashes, and those of his wife Juanita, will be laid to rest in Mississippi at a later date. In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to University United Methodist Church, 3501 Patrick St., Lake Charles, LA 70605, or to the charity of the donor's choice.