Mayor Melton has died at 86, remembered as a community leader

Larry Melton, Odessa’s longest-serving mayor, died Monday after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s. He was 86.

Melton was described by friends as a gentleman who was a man of faith and integrity, as well as a man of wit who enjoyed a good laugh.

He was also known for his community service to his beloved Odessa. A graduate of Odessa High School in 1956, he married his wife, J’Nevelyn, in 1960, and the couple embarked on a life of service to the community that included his time as Odessa’s mayor.

Melton was mayor longer than anyone else in Odessa’s history from 2001-12, and he will keep that record because the city charter has since been amended to limit mayors to eight years.

Odessan and former Councilperson Peggy Dean said he was a unique person who had the ability to lead based upon knowledge and wit. “He could mediate any situation because his first instinct was always to consider both sides before advancing a decision,” she said.

Dean said Melton was CEO for Johnson, Miller and Co., where she worked with him daily for more than 20 years. During 12 of those years he served as either a city councilman or as mayor.

“He never missed a beat in his professional or political life,” Dean said. “He and J’Nevelyn were devoted to our city and they made us all proud to be from Odessa. We will always remember his humor and the one clap applause that he instituted at functions, which still lives on today.”

Odessan Cal Hendrick, who is running for mayor himself this year, said losing Melton is a profound loss “for our community and to me personally.”

“Mayor Melton was always kind and courteous,” Hendrick recalled. “I personally witnessed Larry treating everyone, from City employees to his opponents, with respect and kindness. He was the finest example of a politician:” He was honest, kept his word and worked hard for the City of Odessa.”

Hendrick said he saw the former mayor at hundreds, if not thousands, of Odessa events during his time as mayor. “In fact, I don’t think Mayor Melton ever missed an event while serving as Mayor,” Hendrick said. “He represented the City of Odessa with pride.

“Mayor Melton recognized that Odessa was more than its buildings and roads; it was about the people of Odessa. He was the ‘best of the best’ in all of us. God bless Mayor Melton and his family during this difficult time.”

Former Mayor Lorraine Perryman called Melton a dear friend and great asset to the community.

“He was kind, empathetic and compassionate to everyone. During his long tenure as mayor, he served with dignity, integrity and a desire to enhance our well being,” Perryman said. “It is a sad day for Odessa to lose someone of his stature, but his legacy will endure. He was the embodiment of a servant leader, and we are all better for his efforts on our behalf and the role model provided by his exemplary life.”

Odessa Chamber President/CEO Renee Earls called Melton a tremendous leader and community advocate and “most importantly, a fine man. He was always positive and truly believed in this community’s potential. He set the bar high for others to follow. He was first class and I will certainly miss him.”

Odessa American Publisher Patrick Canty recalled Melton fondly.

“Larry Melton was not only a fine mayor, but he was also a wonderful person. As a mayor he was always courteous and straightforward. And he possessed a type of wisdom that made you trust his judgement,” Canty said. “As a human being, he was pure class with an incredible sense of humor. Any event that Larry either emceed or participated in was bound to be fun. I was so fortunate to have had the privilege of knowing him. And Odessa is better off because of his years of community leadership.”

Melton had a hand in just about everything Odessa over the years.

He was awarded various recognitions, including Odessa’s Outstanding Citizen, Heritage of Odessa Foundation Community Statesman award for Community Service, Boy Scouts Man-of-the-Year, Best of the Permian Basin, the Rotary Wall of Fame, Odessa’s Outstanding Young Man and the Bill Elms United Way Award.

In his obituary, his family wrote he found his true calling as an Odessa city councilman followed by 11 years as mayor. He stepped down as the city’s longest-serving mayor. Known as an incredible public speaker, he gave 864 speeches during his tenure as mayor.

State Rep. Brooks Landgraf called him a prince of a man and a true public servant. “Mayor Melton absolutely loved Odessa, and he proved it every day.”

Landgraf said he showed his dedication by being a “happy warrior for our community during his tenure at city hall, but moreover he showed his care in the way he treated Odessans with unwavering decency and dignity in public and professional life alike.”

Landgraf agreed the mayor was a genuine gentleman who never forgot a name after he met someone. “He was a steadfast leader without ever being flashy about it.”

Landgraf said Melton’s time as a public servant was ending when Landgraf’s was beginning. “But that didn’t stop him from being a friend and mentor to me,” he said. “I’ll never forget the lessons he taught me: that governance is a people business, and that you can still keep a sense of humor in politics.”

Odessa oilman Kirk Edwards remembered Melton as a kind and smart and wickedly funny person. “He and his wife, J’Nevelyn, were the perfect couple to represent Odessa and the Permian Basin for so many years,” Edwards said. “He tirelessly worked for the betterment of our community and set the bar high at what it meant to be a public servant.”

Edwards said Melton will truly be missed by Odessa.

Dean said Melton will be remembered as a gentleman, a man of faith, father, friend, politician, and a professional with integrity and humor. “It is a rare quality but the perfect description of Larry Melton. It was my privilege to know him and work with him in so many realms. He leaves a legacy that will be remembered for many generations.”

Landgraf agreed.

“His was a life well lived, and Odessa is better because he served the city and its citizens,” Landgraf said. “Shelby and I join our fellow Odessans in mourning Mayor Melton’s passing.

“Our hearts go out to lovely J’Nevelyn and the wonderful Melton family and we lift them up in our prayers for comfort and peace. Rest well, Mr. Mayor.”

After graduating from Texas Tech University with a double major in industrial engineering and math, Melton served as a lieutenant in the Army. He was stationed in Fort Sill, OK, and was discharged as a Captain. After a brief career in the oil and gas sector, he went on to an extended career in banking and accounting.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at First Methodist Odessa. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Larry Melton Fund at Medical Center Health System Foundation or The Larry Melton Graduation Scholarship at Odessa College Foundation.