He was married in 1951 to Pat and they had seven children John, Sheila, Michael, Suzanne, Thomas, Theresa and +Paul. They have 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Melton worked in Orange County as an auto mechanic and he and Pat owned an ARCO gas station and later a Chevron Station until they moved to Lake Elsinore in 1987.
At various times he also worked as an Elementary School Teacher; Nurse; Physical Therapist; Podiatrist; Audiologist/Speech Pathologist; and High School Counselor.
He was ordained on June 2, 1984 for the Diocese of Orange at St. Boniface Church, Anaheim by +Bishop William P. Johnson, He was assigned to St. John the Baptist Church, Costa Mesa.
In the Diocese of San Bernardino, he served at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Temecula; St. Frances of Rome, Lake Elsinore and St. Martha, Murrieta.
Bishop Gerald Barnes granted his request for retirement on January 22, 2002, however, despite suffering a heart attack in October 2011, he continued to serve the parishioners of St. Martha, Murrieta until his death.
Viewing and graveside service for family only will be on Monday, May 18.
Once the Covid-19 pandemic is resolved a memorial service is planned at St. Martha Murrieta.