Robert Byrd "Bob" Melton Sr.

Asheville - Tech Sgt. Robert Byrd Bob Melton, Sr., U.S Air Force, Retired, died Tuesday, September 18, 2001 at the Hospice Solace Center following a brief illness. A native of Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. He had resided in Buncombe County most of his life. Mr. Melton retired in 1980 after 20 years with the U.S. Air Force of which he was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was currently employed with the U.S. Post Office where he served as a mail clerk and carrier. He was a lifelong volunteer with the Buncombe County Rescue Squad, served as an off-ice official for the Asheville Smoke Hockey Team, was formerly employed with the Buncombe County EMS and served from 1980 to 1983 as an JROTC Instructor at T.C. Roberson High School and was a member of the Ham Radio Association. He was a son of the late Ernest Bryant and Lillie Belle Byrd Melton and was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Bessie Penley. Surviving are his wife, Louise Elders Melton of the home; daughter, Karen Deal and husband, Jeff of Asheville; son, Robbie Melton and wife, Anne of Candler; grandchildren, Jacob Deal and Tia, Corey and Chelsey Melton; father in law, Vernon Paw Paw Penley of Asheville: sister, Mary Ann Hensley; brothers, Bill Melton of Asheville and Roger Melton of Arden and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Smith and Mr. Ken Howard officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and at other times will be at the home of Robbie and Anne Melton, 14 South Morgan Branch Rd., Candler. Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813 or American Cancer Society, 31 College Place, Asheville, N.C. 28801. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Linda Warren and all of our family and friends for your love and support during our time of need.