James W. Melton

James W. Melton, 82, of Gray, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021.  A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Hart’s Mortuary, Jones County Chapel with the Reverend Ed McQueen officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service.  A private burial will be held at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Son of the late Montene S. Melton and Arthur Paul Melton, Jr., Mr. Melton was a veteran of the United States Navy and retired from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked in food services and the maintenance division.  He was the former owner of Hickey’s Sandwich Shop in Macon, and Upper Crust Sandwich Shop in Milledgeville.  At one time, Mr. Melton had a side business called Snakes Alive, where he performed educational snake shows in many schools.  He was a founding member of the Ocmulgee Region Porsche Club.  He loved his family and loved to travel, cars and guns.  Mr. Melton was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Melton and son-in-law, Roy Deane.

Mr. Melton is survived by his wife of 17 years, Julia Melton of Gray; children, Cindy Gresham (Bill) of Byron, Georgia, Sharon Deane of Byron, and Susan Li of Gray; grandchildren, Jacob Gresham (Josh) of Byron, Justin Owens (Katie) of Lizella, Georgia, and Ryan Owens (Jessica) of Byron, Derrick Deane (Ashley) of Warner Robins, and Dillon Deane of Mossy Head, Florida; great grandchildren, Kaylee, Ashley, Brianna, Madison, Chase, Rebecca, and Brooklyn; and sister, Carolyn McElheney of Macon.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.