Clyde Mansfield Melton
(1928-2000)

Clyde Mansfield Milton was born to Willard (1901-1984) and Vira (Nix) Melton (1906-1999) at Pyote, TX on August 13, 1928.  Clyde had on brother, Claude Milton (1928-1929), and two sisters, Wanda Faye Milton Flippin and Juanita Melton (1926-1939).  He lived in Haskill, TX until the age of 10 when he moved to Pioneer, TX where he lived and attended Pioneer School.  He left Pioneer for Hobbs, NM at the age of 14.  He then went to Chicago, by way of Arkansas, where he lived a short time before returning to Hobbs.

With the telling of a patriotic lie, he enlisted into military service in January of 1944 at the age 15.  From the decks of Landing Craft Infantry Ship No. 463 to the beaches of the Pacific Islands of Peleliu, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Siapan, he participated in six major invasions.  He left the military in 1946 with a Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart.

He married Elizabeth Nelson in St. Paul, MN on June 17, 1946.  The Meltons had two sons, Richard Allen Melton (1954-1954) and Thomas Clyde Melton; and one daughter, Cheryl Ann Melton Trenary; and one grandson, Scott Trenary.

Brother Clyed Melton was initiated an Entered Apprentice at Minnehaha Lodge No. 165, A.F. & A.M., (5149 Bloomington Ave. So.) Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 16, 1975.  He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason on October 7th and raised to Master Mason on November 4, 1975.  He subsequently affiliated with Cross Plains Lodge No. 627 in April of 1982.  Brother Melton and his son Tom became 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in 1982 and joined the Shrine in April of the same year.  His son-in-law Ron Trenary and grandson Scott also followed his example into the Masonic Fraternity.

Clyde Melton worked in construction and started a plumbing company that was to become the largest in a five state area.  He invented a device to prevent cave-in and is likely responsible for preventing accidents and injury to many.  He dabbled in other business ventures including farms, real estate and oil.

For Brother Clyde Melton, Masonic principles were complimentary to God, family and country.  He was called to labor in the Celestial Lodge on October 29, 2000 and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

jab 5/2/03