James L. Melton, 86, boarded the train on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Emporia for his last ride that would take him to Heaven to be with his beloved Babe, who has been waiting 24 years for him.
James was born on September 5, 1928 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of N.C. and Chrystel Melton. He married Lucille (Babe) Lodle on November 29, 1949 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Emporia. She preceded him in death on March 13, 1990.
He worked a variety of jobs. He delivered the Kansas City Star twice a day; early in the morning, he put coal in the furnace at Eckdahl McCarty; he made cakes at Humphrey’s Bakery; drove a 7-Up truck; and also worked at Alfred Green’s Conoco. After graduation from Emporia High School in 1946, he hired out as a switchman for the Santa Fe Railroad, where he retired from in February of 1989.
From 1951 to 1953, James served the U.S. Army in Seoul, Korea. He was in the 45th Artillery Division and 712th Railroad Battalion. He made two trips back to Seoul with the Korea Revisit Program, to honor soldiers who fought for their country, and also took an honor flight to Washington D.C.
James was a member of the United Transportation Union, VFW, American Legion, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
He is survived by: a daughter, Georgene Melton of Emporia; two brothers-in-law, George (Ann) Lodle of Emporia, and Elwood Lodle of Las Vegas, Nevada; a sister-in-law, Novella Merry, Emporia; a brother, Chuck (Darlene) Melton of Wichita, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.
Also surviving is his longtime companion and best friend, a small white poodle named Tess. He babysat her, and she could always bring a smile to his face.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Babe; his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Paula Melton; brother-in-law Robert Lodle and wife, Coni; brother-in-law, Loren Merry; and sister-in-law, Betty Lodle; sister-in-law, Bede Lodle Morgan and husband, Robert; and Babe’s parents, George and Ethel Lodle.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, October 31, 2014, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Emporia, with Lee Hoskins officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, where military honors will be provided by Fort Riley.
Memorial contributions to Emporia Friends of the Zoo, Sertoma Train Fund, or Emporia Animal Shelter may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James L. Melton, please visit our flower store.
James was born on September 5, 1928 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of N.C. and Chrystel Melton. He married Lucille (Babe) Lodle on November 29, 1949 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Emporia. She preceded him in death on March 13, 1990.
He worked a variety of jobs. He delivered the Kansas City Star twice a day; early in the morning, he put coal in the furnace at Eckdahl McCarty; he made cakes at Humphrey’s Bakery; drove a 7-Up truck; and also worked at Alfred Green’s Conoco. After graduation from Emporia High School in 1946, he hired out as a switchman for the Santa Fe Railroad, where he retired from in February of 1989.
From 1951 to 1953, James served the U.S. Army in Seoul, Korea. He was in the 45th Artillery Division and 712th Railroad Battalion. He made two trips back to Seoul with the Korea Revisit Program, to honor soldiers who fought for their country, and also took an honor flight to Washington D.C.
James was a member of the United Transportation Union, VFW, American Legion, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
He is survived by: a daughter, Georgene Melton of Emporia; two brothers-in-law, George (Ann) Lodle of Emporia, and Elwood Lodle of Las Vegas, Nevada; a sister-in-law, Novella Merry, Emporia; a brother, Chuck (Darlene) Melton of Wichita, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.
Also surviving is his longtime companion and best friend, a small white poodle named Tess. He babysat her, and she could always bring a smile to his face.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Babe; his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Paula Melton; brother-in-law Robert Lodle and wife, Coni; brother-in-law, Loren Merry; and sister-in-law, Betty Lodle; sister-in-law, Bede Lodle Morgan and husband, Robert; and Babe’s parents, George and Ethel Lodle.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, October 31, 2014, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Emporia, with Lee Hoskins officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, where military honors will be provided by Fort Riley.
Memorial contributions to Emporia Friends of the Zoo, Sertoma Train Fund, or Emporia Animal Shelter may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James L. Melton, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors