Ray Sherrill Melchor Jr.

Ray S. Melchor Jr. SPENCER - Ray Sherrill Melchor Jr., 82, of Spencer, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at the N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home. Mr. Melchor was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Rowan County and was the son of the late Florine Disher Melchor and Ray Sherrill Melchor Sr. He was educated in the Rowan County schools and graduated from Granite Quarry High School. A veteran of the U.S. Marines serving during World War II and the Korean War, Mr. Melchor received the Purple Heart. He was employed for Piedmont Natural Gas for 34 years before retiring in 1986. Mr. Melchor was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, the Paul Sigmon Sunday School Class, a former council member, served on the Property Committee and was a member of Lutheran Men in Mission, the Hudson-Miller-Tatum VFW Post 3006 and was a former member of the Spencer Lions Club where he served as Tailtwister. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Perry Melchor, on Dec. 31, 2003. Survivors include wife Charlotte Jean Rosemond Melchor, whom he married Aug. 5, 1950; daughter Sheryl Jean Melchor Burch and husband Jerry Stanley Burch of Conover; sisters Geraldine Melchor Corriher of Hollywood, Fla., Norma Melchor Dzus of West Islip, N.Y.; aunt Mrs. Elizabeth D. Kale of Newland; sister-in-law Elinor Melchor of Anaheim, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation : The family will receive friends from 2:30-3 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Services : Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Lutheran Church with the Rev. David L. Martin, interim minister, officiating. Interment will follow at Rowan Memorial Park with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Rowan County Military Honor Guard. Memorials : Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 303 Fifth St., Spencer, NC 28159; or N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home, P.O. Box 599, Salisbury, NC 28145. Summersett Funeral Home in Salisbury is assisting the family.