Robert Samuel Melton, Sr., 62, of Anacortes, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004. Bob passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife and loving children. He was born Feb. 26, 1941 in Anaconda, Mont., to Tillman and Isabel Melton. Bob was raised in Tacoma but lived most of his life in the Oak Harbor and Anacortes areas. He graduated from Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma and attended three years of business education at Skagit Valley College. He was a member of the Anacortes Lutheran Church and the VFW. Bob was blessed with many friends, many who knew him through working for Safeway in Anacortes, John Carabba’s Service Station, the Anacortes Shell Refinery as Operator I on the catcracker and Dakota Creek Industries. He was a good, solid union member of the OCAW Local 1-591.
Bob was the assistant coach for three years of the Island Boxing Club playing a very integral and beneficial part in its starting years. He coached Little League in La Conner and
Anacortes. Bob was honorably discharged from the Navy and Army, serving during the Vietnam War, and was also a retired sergeant of the Washington Army National Guard. He was currently working and employed as a civil engineer technical planner estimator at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Bob loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, and fishing. He was the owner of B & F North Whidbey Plumbing and later Melton’s Plumbing in Anacortes. Bob will be remembered always for his mild manner and one who always had a smile. He married BillieJean Rieger in 1975 and would have celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in March of this year. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, William Frank Rieger; and grandson, Tyler James Melton.
He is survived by his loving wife, BillieJean; three sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Laurie Melton, Jr., Duane and Lissa Melton, and Steve Melton; two daughters and son-in-law, Sharon and Brian Darling, and Teresa Rhoads; 13 grandchildren, Josh Melton, Kyle Melton, Jacob Melton, Kala Melton, Lindsay Melton, Alex Melton, Luke Melton, Eli Melton, Amanda Melton, Savannah Melton, Sara Melton, Greg Rhoads, and Jordan Sluder; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Bud Rodgers; his dear mother-in-law, Norine (Bootie) Rieger; sister-in-law Christine and her husband, Tim O’Leary, and numerous nieces and nephews.
May God’s amazing grace forever cover this loving man, who embraced us all with his always giving, unconditional love.
We all stayed beside him till he was set free. May he receive us with open arms when we arrive. With all the love we have to give, his wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Anacortes Lutheran Church or American Diabetes Association. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16, at Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Anacortes Lutheran Church. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes.
