James Landrum "Jim" Melton

James Landrum Melton "Jim", a devoted husband and father, passed away at his home in Savannah, Georgia, on April 9th at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. He was born October 6th 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia. Jim graduated from Bass High School in 1958. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology before transferring to Georgia State University where he was number one on the golf team and earned his Bachelor's degree in Business in 1964. Jim served in the Army National Guard from 1965 to 1970. He was a member of Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church.
Jim was successful in business starting off in the Customer Accounting Department of Southern Railway before settling into his ideal role in Human Resource Management. He was well liked, and had a gift for planning and developing relationships. At the age 31, He became the youngest manager in the personnel organization of Southern Railway. In 1978 Jim transferred to Washington D.C. to serve as EEO Manager, but after a short time he longed for home. Jim returned to Atlanta to accept a role in Manpower Planning with Georgia Power. In 1990 the family moved to Savannah, Ga where Jim accepted the position of Director of Human Resources at Savannah Electric & Power Company, a role he held until retirement in 2002.

Jim was known for his love of the game of golf. He learned the game from his father and developed his swing at Candler Park, just a short distance from his childhood home. After college he joined Dunwoody Country Club in the suburbs north of Atlanta. In 1990 he joined the Landings Club on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga.

Jim played in many tournaments across Georgia and Florida. He developed a network of friends, and playing partners throughout his years that afforded him the opportunity to play some of the greatest golf courses in the country. Among them are Atlanta Athletic Club, Calusa Pines, Pinehurst, TPC Sawgrass, Harbor Town, Shoal Creek, Bay Hill Country Club, Spyglass, Kiawah Island Club, Sea Island, East Lake, and even The Augusta National.

Jim was a lifelong Georgia Tech fan. He took his family to many ball games and bowl appearances, entertaining them with stories from the glory days of Bobby Dodd and Pepper Rodgers. It became a cherished family tradition to gather each Thanksgiving and watch Georgia Tech battle their longtime rivals, the "hated" Georgia Bulldogs.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Dora Melton; youngest son, Thomas Melton; and uncle Francis L (Pete) Melton.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eloise C Melton; two sons, James L. Melton, Jr., and Jonathan E. Melton; granddaughter Madison Cassedy (Austin Haskins); brother Jack A. Melton (Bunny); nieces Jill Terry (Jason) and Katherine Robinson; nephew Craig Melton (Lauren). He also leaves behind a loving extended family of grandnieces, grandnephews, and their children.

A memorial service will be held on April 24th at 2pm at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, 50 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church.