Richard Melton

Richard King Melton, born June 13, 1936 to Fred and Freda Melton in Durango, Colorado.  At 86, Richard has gone home to be with the good lord on December 14, 2022.

Richard was the oldest of seven children and was taught early to take care of family.  In his early years he drove a taxi before enlisting in the Army for auto maintance on September 21, 1960.  Richard went over seas to France where he ended up breaking his hip and was given a Honorable Discharge on January 31, 1963.

Richard then met Rose O’Cana (Valdez) who he later married and had their daughter Cora Mae Melton and gained two step children Joe and Rita and adopted a daughter Debbie.  After living in Colorado Springs and working at the Air Force Academy Richard and Rose moved to Grand Junction, Colorado where Richard worked as a truck driver.  With a long career of driving 18-wheelers Richard finally retired.

Richard’s daughter Cora learned her joy and career of fixing vehicles from him, which he always had a story about “my daughter, Cora, the mechanic”.  One of Richards greatest joys was his grandson Mike.  He taught Mike things like hunting, fishing, how to be a man; like cutting wood, fixing cars, welding, any and everything you can think of.  As Richard got even older Mike made sure to still take his grandpa hunting and fishing with his great grandchildren; Hunter, Wyatt, Amirra and granddaughter in law Amy.

Richard is proceeded in death by his parents, Fred and Freda, his wife Rose Melton, sisters; Dorothy, Wilma, Jean, Ruby and Patty, his 2 step children Joe and Rita and adopted daughter Debbie.  Richard is survived by his daughter Cora Steinberg, grandchildren; Mike Dolobacs, Victoria Alire, April Wilson and Michelle O’Cana, several great grandchildren and his brother Tony(MaryAnn) Melton.

“Daddy”, “grandpa”, “Lightning” will always be missed and never forgotten.