L.P. "Jr." Melton

L. P. Melton Jr. was peacefully called home to his Heavenly Father on January 8, 2022. He laid down to take a nap and woke up in the arms of Jesus. L.P. was known to all his friends as "Jr.". He was born on July 3, 1929, in Bristow, Oklahoma, to L.P. "Ted" and Ora (Reed) Melton. He was raised in Depew, Oklahoma, with his twin sisters, Patsy and Peggy. Jr. married the love of his life, JoAnn Rushing of Chandler, on June 10, 1956. They were married for 50 years, residing in Chandler, before her passing in 2006. Jr. worked for Bell Telephone for 37 years and served the communities of Chandler, Luther, Carney, Wellston, Shawnee, Guthrie, and many other small towns around the state. For much of that time he worked as a lineman. He would often tell stories about when he first started as a lineman. They were trained to string the telephone lines from tree to tree to provide telephone service to rural communities. Jr. was also a Korean War Veteran. He served his country from 1951 to 1953. After he retired from Bell Telephone, he enjoyed traveling and making patriotic speeches at schools, and other civic groups. Jr. had many accomplishments, but the one that he was most proud of was spearheading the charge to build a monument that listed all the names of the Veterans who served, from his childhood hometown of Depew. Jr. was a man of deep faith. Both he and JoAnn were members of the First Christian Church in Chandler. In the last years of his life, many of his caregivers were brought to tears as they would hear him pray and give thanks for all his blessings. He was a member of many civic organizations and he loved doing the charity work associated with them. Jr. was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Lion's Club, Telephone Company Pioneers, and the Depew Alumni Association. At one time or another he held leadership roles in all of them. Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, LP (Ted) Melton and Ora Melton; his wife, JoAnn Melton; a daughter Shirley Melton; his sister, Patsy (Melton) Cantrell; and one great-grandchild, Jake Johns. His survivors include, a daughter, Randa (Melton) and her husband Paul Johns of Kendrick Oklahoma; a son, John Melton and his wife Kelly of Chandler; his sister, Peggy (Melton) Green of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Jeff Johns and his wife Gina of Chandler, Shane Johns and his wife Ruth of Bristow, Matthew Johns of Depew, Lacey (Melton) Knight and husband Jeremy of Harrah, and Mariah (Melton) and husband Travis Jarvis of Davenport; four bonus grandchildren, Brandon Summerlin of Chandler, Ryan Summerlin of Olympia, Washington, Shaun Summerlin of Chandler, and Chelsey Summerlin of Chandler; fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who he loved like family. His family would like to thank Lora McElroy, Reda Ratliff, Barbie Tucker, the staff at Stroud Healthcare Center, and many others for their assistance in caring for Jr. during his time of need. Jr. was loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed. At the family's request expressions of sympathy can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.act.alz.org. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, January 13, 2021 at First Christian Church in Chandler officiated by Cathy Weaver and George Hicks with burial to follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler. Online condolences may be offered at www.parksbrothers.net. Care Services are provided by Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler, Oklahoma. ***For those concerned with the COVID outbreak you are welcome to watch the service online at the link provided on Thursday morning via our website or attend the graveside service at approximately 3:00pm.***