Melvin Kenneth "Pete" Ligon

Melvin K. Ligon, 85, lovingly known as "Pete," passed away peacefully at home in Jupiter, Florida on August 11, 2025, with his beloved wife of 60 years, Katalina, and family by his side.

Pete was born in Phoenix, Arizona, the second of five children to Lawrence and Laurette Ligon. In 1948, the family relocated to Miami, Florida, where Pete attended school and later graduated from Miami Jackson High School, Class of 1960. A gifted athlete, he played linebacker for the Jackson Generals, contributing to their impressive 9-1 season record.

Pete served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era as a radar technician, specializing in advanced radar and electronic systems. He later became a lead electronic and radio mechanic at Eastern Airlines, overseeing repairs and instructing others on over 250 cockpit components-essentially, if it was in the cockpit, Pete fixed it. These included radar, navigation, communication, landing, and other critical avionics systems. He also held a commercial pilot's license, FCC license, and had a deep passion for aviation, space, and especially NASA.

After leaving the airline industry, he and his wife built a 1,800-square-foot, two-story home in Dahlonega, Georgia. A true craftsman, Pete did it all himself-foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and even three fireplaces. An outdoor enthusiast, and living near the Appalachian National Forest, he once walked home from the Appalachian Trail. Later, he sold the home and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, then back to Miami, and eventually settled in Jupiter, Florida.

Pete was a true modern Renaissance man, gifted with an extraordinary range of talents and a boundless curiosity. He was a skilled woodworker, carver, photographer, leather craftsman, potter, and jewelry maker, and he loved collecting bottles, rocks, and gemstones. An avid painter with a sharp eye for detail, he once had his paintings on exhibit in a museum in Gainesville, Florida. His hobbies were as diverse as his skills-acrylic painting, astronomy, chess, fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, racquetball, tennis, and darts, to name just a few.

Pete loved watching rockets launch at NASA, stargazing through his telescope, and immersing himself in movies and computers. There was nothing mechanical or electronic he couldn't fix-appliances, televisions, cars, and more. He also took on home repairs with the same skill and creativity, building his own tools and inventing custom ones to tackle every challenge. Remarkably, he once even brought a ladybug back to life... He could fix anything!

Together with his wife, Pete raised four children and enjoyed a life filled with travel and family. They made a point of sharing their love of exploration with their children and grandchildren, taking them to museums, historic sites, and natural wonders to broaden their horizons. Over the years, they traveled across North and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, and went on dozens of cruises. Pete was also an experienced mariner who loved overnight trips on his sailboat, happily looking at the stars.

Pete is survived by his loving wife, his beloved children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, and countless friends loved as family. He will be deeply missed, but his love of life lives on in all who knew him. Thanks Pete!