Dr. Gary W. Melton

Dr. Gary W. Melton

Dr. Gary W. Melton died peacefully at home on September 27th, 2005, holding the hands of his wife and son.

Gary was born October 20th, 1952, in Murray, Kentucky. He lost the father who adored him, Warren Melton, at age 8 and was affected by this his entire life. He was raised in Murray by his mother Yvonne Melton now of McKinleyville.

Gary sang and played guitar like his father and started one of his many bands while still in high school. He married his "polish princess" Jill Ann Komorowski on August 18th, 1973. He graduated from Murray State University, Kentucky, with a BA in 1974, a MS in 1975 and a SCT in 1976 all in radio, television, and journalism. In 1980 he earned his PhD from Bowling Green State University (Ohio).

Gary began his work career in radio in 1971, in Murray, Kentucky, and his teaching career at Lincoln Memorial University, Tennessee, in 1976. He also taught at Bowling Green State and Western Carolina University, North Carolina. In 1982 he joined the faculty of the radio-tv department at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

In May 1989, Gary received the prestigious "Excellence in Teaching Award" as the professor of the year for the State of Arkansas. He was most gratified that he was nominated for the highly coveted award by his students. Besides other honors, Gary also had numerous publications including a video documentary "One of a Kind" now in the Film and Video archive of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Gary also made presentations to innumerable conventions and symposiums throughout the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Austria. He was invited to participate in the Annenberg program in Washington, D.C., the Gannet Center at Columbia University, NY, and the International Technology Conference in Ilmenau, Germany, among others.

In the fall of 1989, Gary came to Humboldt State University. He was a tenured full professor in the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at the time of his death. Gary also taught in the fall of 1996 at Bielefeld Universitaet in Germany. His list of accomplishments could fill pages. But the love of his professional life was the students and HSU’s student-run Radio Station KRFH-AM which he started in 1990. His legacy will remain in the many lives he positively influenced both academically and personally. His former students are spread across the country from the NY Times to CNN to the local media. Gary also loved music especially the Beatles. He was part of the local band called "The Mad River Project" which is completing a CD.

Gary is survived by his wife, Jill Ann Melton; and son, Jason K. Melton of McKinleyville. He is also survived by his in-laws who absorbed the shy southern boy into their boisterous ethnic family: his parents-in-law, Alice and Arthur Komorowski of Vineland, NJ, who made him his favorite foods during his illness; his brother-in-law, Jan Komorowski of La Veta, Colorado, who opened his home to a family reunion in July; his sister-in-law, Janine Knoer, who he advised on her lovelife and her husband Jim; his fishing and cigar smoking buddy and their children, James and Natalie who Gary was thrilled to have introduced to his Beatles, all of Taylorsville, KY; his sister-in-law, Julie Smith who went into the media field and her husband Rufus of Charlottsville, North Carolina; also his wife’s aunt, Florence Mazurek of Syracuse, New York, who hosted the infamous pinochle parties. He is also survived by his aunt’s and their husbands, Lee and Ken Pace of Kentucky, Pam and Charles vanDyke of Tennessee, and their son Beau and cousins including, Mike Orr of Maryland as well as many other family members in KY and VA.

As difficult as it was to lose my husband, losing a best friend, and Jason losing his dad were almost unbearable. We were greatly comforted during his illness and after by the thoughts and prayers, the letters, cards, cd’s, and tapes that we received. Gary knew he was loved and well thought of by so many of you. Thank you. Thanks also to HCAR, and to Hospice who made our last weeks more comfortable and peaceful. Special thanks to his friends Steve and Ernie who always bolstered his spirits with the guitar and pecan pie.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the "Professor Gary Melton Memorial Trust" at Humboldt State University, Gift Processing Center, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521-8299 with checks made payable to Humboldt State University.

One more day, one more night and I’d be satisfied. But then again it would leave me wanting one more day...

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