Dr. George Edward Melton, Sr.

Dr. George Melton, Professor Emeritus of history at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, May 10, 2021. 

Born on January 22, 1932, he treasured growing up in the Thomasboro neighborhood of Charlotte, NC.  As a youth, he played basketball many nights at the Charlotte Central YMCA and parlayed his great height, 6’7, into a basketball scholarship to Davidson College. During his 4 years of college, he played a determined game of basketball and was known at Davidson as the “Hook Shot Artist.”

Although he was interested in sports, Dr. Melton’s great passion was scholarship and teaching. Growing up during World War II with a brother, Jack Melton, serving as a naval officer, led him to become a historian with an avid interest in the war. Dr. Melton graduated from Davidson in 1954 with a degree in History and later earned a master’s and Ph.D. in modern European history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He taught history at Pfeiffer University from 1957 – 1967 and continued his teaching at St. Andrews University.

After 57 years of doing what he loved, Dr. Melton retired from the classroom in 2013, at the age of 81.  His classes were always popular, and he was highly respected by his colleagues and numerous students.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Melton conducted extensive research in Washington, DC and Paris.  He published many periodicals and 2 books, Darlan, Admiral and Statesman of France, 1881-1942, and From Versailles To Mers El-Kebir. His first book was later translated into French and received the honor of the Big Book Of The Month in France.

Dr. Melton’s interest also included classical and Big Band music, attending the Presbyterian church, spending time in Montreat, NC, traveling to Paris for research with his wife, Anne Ramsay, and completing crossword puzzles.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Dr. Melton was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Woods Melton and Myrtle Harris Melton of Charlotte, his first wife, Marjorie Blankenship Melton, formally of Charlotte and also a teacher, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, Jack Melton, Woods Melton, James Justus, Frances Quinn and Jane Wilson, respectively. 

He is survived by his wife, Anne Hopkins Melton of Scotia Village, Laurinburg, NC, 3 children, George Melton and wife, Gloria, of Charlotte, Marjorie Anne Melton Harris and husband, John, of Griffin, Georgia, and Carrie Medlock and husband, George, of Laurinburg.  He is also survived by his much-adored grandchildren, Emily LaFontaine and husband, Jon, Ali Mullins and husband Ryan, Rachel Harris, Justus Melton, David Medlock and Jack Medlock.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church.    The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the church.     The graveside committal service will be Noon on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Evergreen Cemetery, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Andrews University, www.sa.edu/give in support of the History Dept., or mail ATTN: Advancement Office, St. Andrews, 1700 Dogwood Mile St., Laurinburg, NC 28352, or to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, PO Box 207, Montreat, NC 28757.

Covid-19 restrictions require facial mask, social distancing with limited attendance for all service.

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