Melvin John COLSON Jr.

COLSON, Melvin John Jr., 33 IGH, age 77, formerly of 901 Woodville Road, Hertford, N.C., died Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Mr. Colson, a native of Perquimans County, was the son of the late Melvin John Colson Sr. and Jessie Mae Skinner Colson and the widow of Audrey Wilson Colson. He is survived by two daughters, Karen Louise C. McKellar and husband, Richard Allen, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. and Maxine Laura C. Ferrell and husband, Henry Clifton, of Elizabeth City, N.C.; a brother, Harold G. Colson of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; two granddaughters, Tiffany Ferrell and Jessica Ferrell; and a grand "puppy," Kirby McKellar. He was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, and a Summa Cum Laude Graduate of College of the Albemarle. He was a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, Supply Management Superintendent, and a retired Veteran's Employment Representative for the State of North Carolina. A veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, RVN Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, and RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was a life member and Past Adjutant of the Coinjock American Legion Post #288, life member and Past Allstate and Aide de Camp Commander of the William Clarence Jackson VFW Post #6060, District Commander and District Quartermaster of VFW District 1 and awarded All American District Commander, life member Military Order of the Cootie and Past Commander of Pup Tent #1, life member AMVETS Post 635, life member of Air Force Sergeants Association, life member Kitty Hawk Chapter of the Air Force Association, life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter #64, Past Master of Perquimans Masonic Lodge #106 AF & AM and member since 1955. He was Past President of the Osan AB, Korea, Square and Compass Club. He was Past Master of all four bodies of Newport News Scottish Rites of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. He was invested with the 33 Degree in 1997 at the Biennial Session with Dave Thomas, head of Wendy's, as the keynote speaker, and life member Scottish Rite Research Society. A 25-year plus member Sudan Shrines A.A.O.N.M.S. of New Bern, N.C., Past President and life member of Elizabeth City Shrine Club. He was a member of Elizabeth City York Rite Bodies: Commandery #14, K.T., Cherokee Chapter #14, R.A.M., and Tyrian Council #19, R. & S.M. Member and twice Past Exalted Ruler of Elizabeth City Elk's Lodge #856, member and Past Junior Governor of Elizabeth City Moose Lodge #1847. He was a life member of the Kitty Hawk Man Will Never Fly Society, and an honorary charter member of N.C. Sheriffs' Association. A funeral service will be Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Twiford's Memorial Chapel with Rev. Raymond Lagcher officiating and military honors rendered by the William Clarence Jackson VFW Post 6060. Masonic Rites will be rendered by the Perquimans Masonic Lodge #106 AF & AM. Entombment will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home, immediately following the service in the lobby of the funeral home, and at other times at the residence of Maxine and Henry Ferrell, 105 Panama Street, Elizabeth City, N.C. 27909. Memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, 2100 North Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29606-3194. You may sign the online register at www.twifordfh.com. Twiford's Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, N.C., is in charge of arrangements.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.