Gerald “Jerry” Lee Melton, 82, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 17, 2015.
He is survived by his wife Cookie; brothers Jack B. Melton of Fort Pierce and Theodore Melton (Jackie) of Vero Beach; sisters A. Esther Amend of Lincoln, Neb., and Doris Light (Greg) of Greensboro N.C.; and by his son Frank Melton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in several states.
Melton was born on July 8, 1932, in Detroit, Mich., to Clifton O. and Donna I. Melton. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by brothers Frank Braithwaite, Kenneth Braithwaite, and Charles Melton; and by sisters D. Faye Melton and Nora Anderson.
He was a bricklayer and builder for many years in his hometown, Detroit, Mich. In California he worked the L.A./Long Beach docks as a Longshoreman and after 33 years retired from ILWU Local 13 in 2000 and retired to Vero Beach.
Melton was an active member of the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520, and enjoyed traveling, visiting every state in the nation as well as 75 countries around the world. The year he turned 65, Melton fulfilled three dreams: he went sky-diving, flew in a hot air balloon, and did a bungee jump. His life was not filled with “might-have-beens” but with “can-do’s.”
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge at a later date to accommodate the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Gerald Melton to Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3749, Fort Pierce, FL 34948-3749. The family would like to thank VNA Hospice for their loving and professional care.
