James David Melton

MELTON, JAMES DAVID "Another day, another opportunity to excel!" reflected the attitude of this wonderful God/Country/Family man. Jim Melton, a retired East Baton Rouge Parish educator and retired U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was 87. A viewing service was held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, April 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A graveside "passing on service" is at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway, at 1 p.m. Friday, April 21. This has provided two opportunities for family and friends to pay their respects. Casual attire is also appropriate. He is survived by his bride of 63 years, Mrs. Marjorie Nelle (DeJean) Melton of Baton Rouge; daughter, Jeanne Ricks of Baton Rouge; daughter-in-law and son, Linda and James D. Melton Jr. of Valrico, Fla.; and eight grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren from Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Maine. James D. Melton was born in Eufaula, Okla., in 1919, the oldest of six children (four sisters and a brother) to proud parents, E.W. and Jennie Lee Melton. He always loved family and remembered the hard times of the Great Depression which helped develop the strong Christian faith, positive attitude, education and hard work core values that formed his character. ("When it's too tough for someone else, it's just right for me.") A graduate of Shamrock High School in Oklahoma, he also received his bachelor's degree from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in Ruston and a master's degree from Northwestern State College in Natchitoches. He had been a Baton Rouge resident since 1958 when he was recruited to teach. He is in the Broadmoor High School's Teacher Hall of Fame, loved to read and to help make people think. "If you can teach someone how to think instead of what to think, they'll make out just fine." He was a great teacher and storyteller whether in a classroom or around family and friends. "Have you stamped out any ignorance today? Everyone is ignorant about something, but ignorance is correctable – stupid is forever." He was a member of East Gate Lodge F&AM and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was active with the DeMolay and Boy Scouts and loved to read, fish, collect coins and play golf. He was a member of Parkview Baptist Church and a former Sunday school teacher. We celebrate his life and his spirit! "A man's got to do what a man's got to do!" If desired, a contribution to your favorite charity in his name is preferred in lieu of flowers.