James Donald “Don” Melton, 78, of Mooresboro passed away August 18, 2013.  He was born on November 14, 1934 to the late Worth and Reba Davis Melton of Lattimore.   Don graduated from Lattimore High School and set out to build his first of two well-known businesses, Melton Heating and Air Conditioning.  After serving in the heating and air conditioning industry for more than thirty years, Don and wife Geraldine seized an opportunity to challenge themselves professionally and opened Melton Custom Marble Baths, which they successfully operated until retirement.

An avid traveler, Don always looked for ways to expand his horizons.  His travels brought him face-to-face with cobras in Morocco and bulls in Spain.  Stateside, Don loved national parks the best—a love he shared with his grandchildren during annual road trips across the continental United States, Alaska, and Canada. 

Don had a love of learning and one could rarely find him without a book in his hands.  He held two patents, one on biofuel distillation and another on a farm hay hauler.  In his last decade of life, he enrolled at Cleveland Community College to audit a class on biochemistry – an experience that fueled his interest of the brain and nanotechnology.  Don truly lived a life full of courage, adventure, and accomplishment.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his son, Donald Eugene Melton and brother, William Melton.  He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Geraldine Beaver Melton; son David Melton and wife Susan of Shelby; granddaughter Mandy Melton Carter and husband Drew of Harrisburg; grandson Greg Melton and wife Emily of Shelby; great-grandson Van Carter; brother, Tommy Melton and wife Cindy of Lattimore; and brother Michael Melton and wife Vicki of Lattimore.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 21st from 2:00 – 3:00pm at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home with a memorial service immediately following in the chapel.

Flowers are welcome and donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, 374 Hudlow Road, Forest City NC 28043.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Melton.