Rickey Hayes Melton's Obituary
Rickey Hayes Melton, of Lindale, Texas was born in Marshall, Texas November 4, 1945, and died January 9, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Melton, his father B.J. Melton and stepmother Clarene Melton, a daughter Kimberlee Haile, grandsons Allen Birmingham and Zane Haile, sister Jan Elizabeth Inman, step brothers Terry Denson and Larry Denson, stepdaughter Lyn Lough. His mother, Nancy Elizabeth Melton, and sister, Pamelia Braunsberg pre-deceased him.Rick grew up in Richardson, Texas. He graduated from Richardson where he was a star athlete in football, baseball and track. His winning personality made him a favorite of everyone. His smile was his trademark – always there – always ready to cheer you up. He attended Texas Tech University on a football scholarship for one year. Following that he was drafted into the army in 1967. In 1968 he was sent to Vietnam, where he became a soldier’s soldier, earning the following medals:National Defense Service MedalVietnam Service MedalVietnam Campaign MedalBronze Star MedalSilver Star MedalTwo Purple HeartsIn September 1969, he was discharged and returned home to live with the horrors of the war. The memories tortured him for many years, happiness escaped him, and he just wandered from here to there. He loved golf and at about the age of 45, he became a golf pro, giving lessons and able to play the game he loved. But he was still carrying the demons of Vietnam. However, on Valentine’s Day 2004, he married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Malcik, and he found peace and happiness at last. Physical problems continued to plague him and on January 9, 2018, at 10:15 pm, he found real peace.The pallbearers for Rickey are Allen Birmingham, Jeff Lough, Cody Lough, Caleb Lough, Terry Denson and Larry Denson.Service will be held Monday, January 22, 2018, at 11:00 am in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service. Burial will take place at DFW National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Rickey?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rickey?
Share a story where Rickey's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rickey you’ll never forget.
How did Rickey make you smile?