Mr. Earl Ray Melton's Obituary
Earl Ray Melton passed away peacefully in hospice care on December 10, 2020, from COVID-19. He was 85. He is survived by his daughter, Nicole Melton, and a number of nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Carolyn Cole Melton, just two weeks before his own passing. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Carrie Melton, and his brothers Audie Melton and Roy Gene Melton, who was killed in the Korean War. Earl Ray was born at home in East Nashville in 1935. For most of his youth, his family lived on Pullen Avenue near his mother's popular children's store, Melton's Gift Shop, on Meridian Street. He graduated from Isaac Litton in 1954. After high school, he spent eight years in the Navy Reserve as a Radarman. He also began working for General Box Company, which changed names and ownership several times through multiple mergers (Southwest Forest Industries, Stone Container, Smurfit-Stone) during his decades-long career as their Customer Service Manager. An avid hockey fan, Earl Ray and his wife attended games going back to the '60s with Nashville’s first team, the Dixie Flyers. They were thrilled when the NHL came to town, and were season ticket holders for the Preds' first 10+ seasons. Earl Ray was a history buff, and enjoyed vintage cars and airplanes. He was a member of the Goodlettsville Masonic Lodge and Grace Baptist Church. A special thanks to the nurses and CNAs at NHC Hendersonville for your love and care the past two years. It is deeply appreciated. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 18 at 1pm in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are requested to meet at Spring Hill Funeral Home at 12:45pm to go in procession to the gravesite. Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been entrusted with the final care of Earl Ray. 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216. (615) 865-1101. “Where Nashville Comes to Remember.”
What’s your fondest memory of Earl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Earl?
Share a story where Earl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Earl you’ll never forget.
How did Earl make you smile?
