Bruce Errington Melchor Jr.

MELCHOR, Bruce Errington, Jr., "Booty," 93, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Booty, a Norfolk native, was born to Bruce E. Melchor Sr. and Christine Rogers Melchor. He attended Augusta Military Academy, graduated from Granby High School and was attending UNC at Chapel Hill when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was commissioned a lieutenant, served as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division in U.S. Occupied Japan, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. Upon returning from Japan, Booty married Patricia Lee Boyd, in 1948. After parting ways, they remained very close friends until her death 10 months ago.

His work life included years with his family's Norfolk Pepsi Cola Bottling Company (later Allegheny Pepsi), PepsiCo as a VP, Goodman-Segar-Hogan, where he became the number one Commercial Real Estate Salesman in just one year and a number of other commercial real estate ventures.

Booty was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile and for his kind, compassionate and loving spirit. He adored his family and friends.

His enthusiasm for life carried over into his athletic activities, recreation and civic services. He was passionate about physical fitness, especially running and playing handball at the Y. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, especially hunting by horse in the wild West with his buddies, fly fishing all over the world, target shooting with his brother Jimmy, hiking, boating and traveling. He particularly loved flying his planes and was a pilot until he could pilot no more!

He served on the Norfolk Port Authority and on the Board of the YMCA that honored him in 2015 with the award of Order of the Red Triangle. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, a founder of YMCA Camp Silver Beach on the Eastern Shore, a regional representative of the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Norfolk Sertoma Club.

Booty was preceded in death by his son, Bruce E. Melchor III; and by Pat Melchor. He is survived by his son, Robert Boyd Melchor (Dee Oliver) of Virginia Beach; daughters, Lee M. (Turlington) Nelson (Paul) of Richmond, Va. and Anne Melchor of Norfolk; brother, James R. Melchor (Marilyn) of Norfolk; sister, Peggy M. Harris of North Carolina; grandchildren, Douglas A. Melchor, Margaret E. Melchor, Katherine ("Katie") L. Turlington, Christine Melchor, Robert B. Melchor Jr.; stepgrandchildren, Jacquie Oliver Kohart, Madison Oliver and Aven Oliver; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Fife; and by many devoted friends.

A visitation with the family will be held Thursday, January 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at HD Oliver Funeral Apts., 1501 Colonial Ave., Norfolk. A graveside service will be on Friday, January 8, at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St., Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Norfolk YMCA, 312 West Bute Street, Norfolk 23510 or to The Nature Conservancy would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com