Dr. John William Melton, III, 78, of Lake Charles passed away Saturday, August 11, 2018 in a local hospital surrounded by his family. Dr. Melton was born in 1939 in Rome, GA and has lived nearly fifty years in Lake Charles. He was a 1957 graduate of Baton Rouge High School, and then attended LSU where he was President of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Thereafter, he was a graduate of Louisiana State University Medical School. He served his residency in New Orleans and in 1970 moved to Lake Charles to fulfill the need for an Urologist. He retired in 2005 having dedicated his practice to the communities of Southwest Louisiana. He was well respected by his peers and patients; his accreditations and achievements are too numerous to list. Dr. Melton's passion was helping people. His greatest love was his family. He was an avid outdoorsman, having enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, manicuring his lawn and developing the neighborhood pond. Dr. Melton was the son of the first minister of First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge and a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles. He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of fifty-six years, Nancy LeLaurin Melton of Lake Charles; three sons, John William Melton, IV of Lake Charles; Kevin George Melton and wife Shona of Hathaway and Todd Holman Melton and wife Kim of Lake Charles; one daughter, Kelly Melton DiCristo and husband John of Charlotte, NC; eleven grandchildren, Robin Onxley and husband Cody, Rachel Melton, John William Melton, V, Alyssa DiCristo, John DiCristo, Lindsay DiCristo, Justin Melton, Kylie Melton, Philip Melton, Matthew Melton and Marianne Melton; two great-grandchildren, Tristan Onxley and Charlee Grace Onxley; three sisters, Mary Newman of Pensacola, FL, Anne McElveen of Baton Rouge and Della Pierce of Covington; sister-in-law, Ann LeLaurin Schwab and husband John of Oscar; and many nieces, nephews and countless dear friends. He also leaves his precious baby dog, Gypsy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John William Melton, Jr. and Della Stone Melton and one brother, George Richard Melton. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Pastor's Nanette Cagney and Toby Osburn will officiate. Visitation Monday will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Visitation Tuesday will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service in the church. Interment services Tuesday will be at 3:00 PM in Roselawn Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. Memorial donations may be made to thefoundation@lakecharlesmemorialhospital, 1701 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601; lcmh.com or St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 4020 Hodges Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605. Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Denny & Patty Primeaux
Friend
October 16, 2018
Uncle John was a lot of things to me. Tough but kind. Demanded respect but was forgiving of mistakes I made. Always welcomed me. Outdoorsman. Great physician. Mentor.
He taught me a lot about medicine. Sutured my chin, pulled a toothpick out of my foot. Looked at my eye after I was struck by a mullet(true story). Treated me for ankle cellulitis. Looked at Todd's eye after I sprayed off in it(we were young and I was dumb).
Without your interest in me and nudging me forward, I don't think I would have challenged myself to complete medical training and become a physician.
I will miss your talks about medicine and stories about treating patients. But I feel sure I will see you again.
Rest In Peace.
Kyle Schwab
August 22, 2018
My sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time. May you all seek God for comfort, peace, strength and support (2 Cor 1:3).
N L
August 22, 2018
what a handsome man, so sorry that he has gone on to be with our Lord and savior , Blessing to you and your beautiful family
Patsy Manuel
August 20, 2018
So sorry for your loss of Johns earthly life, but joyful for his eternity without pain and suffering. Enjoyed reading of the blessings of all the kids and grandkids! Also, I didnt know he was a Baton Rouge boy I graduated BRHS in 1968. May your grief lessen with time and family love
Beverly Travis (Lumpkin )
Neighbor
August 19, 2018
Nancy,
You have our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you for the love and care that you and John always showed Emily through the years. It means so much to me! I always loved to hear Emily talk about how Papa would tease her and Lindsay. He will be missed dearly.
Love,
Stephanie and Derek Thompson
Stephanie Thompson
Friend
August 17, 2018
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. I knew John from the BRHS golf team in the tenth grade.
Larry Champagne
Friend
August 16, 2018
The world lost not only the greatest Doctor, husband, father, grandfather, friend, but for many, many years he was my Boss and friend and a great one he was. Nancy, John, Kelly, Todd and Kevin I am so sorry for your loss but the love he had for his family was the greatest.
Kelly Templin (Cooley)
Former Receptionist
Kelly Templin (Cooley)
Coworker
August 15, 2018
Nancy, so sorry to learn of your loss. Ive known John since 3rd grade at convention street school. Thanks for sharing the wonderful video. It shows his beautiful family and wonderful life. Sending sincere sympathy to all of you. Lucie Barillier Gruman
Lucie Barillier Gruman
Classmate
August 15, 2018
Nancy, send ing our love and prayers to you and the family.
Virginia Conrad
Friend
August 15, 2018
Nancy.. Sending love and prayers of comfort to you.
Beth LaFuria Farber
Friend
August 14, 2018
In 2004 Dr. Melton performed surgery that has saved my life. I'm sure I am one of hundreds that owe my survival to Dr. John Melton, urologist. 14 years and counting. Thank you so much for taking such good care of me..
Kent Peterson
Acquaintance
August 14, 2018
Todd,
I am very sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you and your family.
Bonnie Thompson
August 14, 2018
Feeling the loss of your beloved husband,father,grandfather,and great grandfather. Sympathy and love for l of you. Donna Fazzio
Madonna Fazzio
August 13, 2018
Praying for you all. So sorry for your loss.
Melaney Williams
Friend
August 13, 2018
I felt I knew Dr. Melton because his younger sister, Della, has been part of my family for many years. I send condolences to all. Bill Hunt (Athens, AL)
Bill Hunt
Friend
August 13, 2018
Nancy, thinking of you. Marilyn Madison
August 13, 2018
Dearest Nancy and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers with so much love.My sincere condolences to each of you, and may God continue to bless and guide you during this time in your lives.
Sally (Montgomery) Rodgers
Friend
August 13, 2018
First and foremost he was and always will be THE BEST urologist in my book!! and an awesome mentor. Nancy he will be greatly missed. God's peace and healing for you and your family.
Jo Ann Person
Coworker
August 13, 2018
Ann, I am so sorry to hear about John. My prayers go out to you and your family
Judy Jolly
August 13, 2018
So sorry for the family. Great loss. I met John on my paper route in 1950
August 13, 2018
To sister Ann and family: I am deeply sorry to read of the loss of your brother John. He was a wonderful doctor.
Dr. Alfred "Buddy" Holden, fellow urologist.
Baton Rouge
August 13, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to you and your family. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May GOD bless ALL.
Kelvin LeDoux
Coworker
August 13, 2018
So very sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.
Sarah Ehlers
Friend
August 13, 2018
As we know, All good things must come to an end. But here I speak not just of a thing, but of a VERY GOOD thing, the life and accomplishments of a capable and caring friend for life. There are not so many of those, as a life long lived can attest. John and I met in junior high school, and were blessed to share good lives, court and marry sisters, Nancy and Ann LeLaurin, and successfully raise families with close bonds, innumerable shared experiences, and successful professional careers. The bumps on the road of life, which are inevitable and were certainly present, were always surmounted. The four seniors of our families were blessed to share many irreplaceable experiences - the two men in countless beautiful days of fishing and hunting together - and all of us together at our Louisiana homes, Gulf beaches, Colorado mountains and streams, and the islands of Hawaii. John has been an accomplished and highly respected member of the Lake Charles area medical and social communities. His strong, compelling personality will be sorely missed.
John Schwab
August 13, 2018
Nancy - I am so, so sorry to read this! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Ellyn Macpherson
Ellyn Macpherson
Friend
August 13, 2018
Your family was truly blessed to have shared so many years and memories with your beloved Dr. John. May those memories bring you peace and solace during the days ahead when you think of him. May God provide the needed comfort through family and friends during your time of bereavement and beyond.
Juanita
August 13, 2018
My condolences and prayers to the family of Dr. Melton. He was my urologist in the early 1970's and I remember most how helpful and kind he was. He was a great doctor and will be well remembered!
Karl Gillard
Friend
August 13, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. What a great
Dr. when I needed surgery on my kidney in 1982 relived me of the pain I had
Linda Tatum-Bailey
Acquaintance
August 13, 2018
The Doc, as I called him, was a great husband to Nan for 56 years and great father to my wife Kelly and her three brothers. His love for his grandchildren can not be matched, he was such a great influence on my children I will be forever grateful. You will be missed Paw Paw, love you.
John DiCristo
Family
August 13, 2018
a loved one
August 13, 2018
I worked with Dr John many times in surgery and I can still see him in his white coat walking the halls making rounds. When my family needed him he was there for us. Love ya Dr John . Susy de Diego Courville
Susy Courville
Friend
August 13, 2018
Dear Nancy and family, We prayed for you and your family in church today and will continue to hold you in light And love.
Sara Dennison
August 12, 2018
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Melton's passing He was a good man and a good doctor who helped me so much. I will miss him.
Patrick Ieyoub
August 12, 2018
I am deeply sorry for your family's loss. May your hearts find comfort in God's beautiful promises for the future. John 6:40
August 12, 2018
What a great man and doctor... we will miss seeing he and Nancy riding around on the golf course and always having a wave or a hello.... Brandt & Jane Pedersen
Brandt & Jane Pedersen
Friend
August 12, 2018
I am out of town until late Tuesday
Lost a great person
David Drez
Friend
August 12, 2018
Praying for God's comfort and strength in this time of sorrow.
Linda Rogers
Acquaintance
August 12, 2018
So sad to hear about Docs passing. We are thinking about you all, sending hugs and all our love.
Mike, Trish and Chris Bechtol, Botsko and Bechtol
Friend
August 12, 2018
Patricia Botsko
August 12, 2018
My prayers are with his family. He was a great doctor. He did surgery on my oldest daughter when she was 18 months old. He came and carried her up to surgery himself. He was a wonderful caring person.
Gayla Trahan
Friend
August 11, 2018
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