Michael Richard Melton

Michael 'Mike' Richard Melton, age 59, of Ten Mile, TN passed away Friday, October 27, 2006, at his mountain cabin in Citico. Mike was owner and operator of Pine Village Mobile Home Park in Ten Mile. Mike was born in Sweetwater, TN and was a graduate of Sweetwater High School in 1965. He was a former member of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Mike has lived in Ten Mile since 1977. Mike was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He was a lover of nature and animals, and was known for rescuing many homeless animals. Mike is survived by his devoted wife Robin. Mike and Robin were together for twenty-seven years and were married for twenty-two years. Robin lovingly cared for Mike during the illness that took him from her, his friends and family. Mike is also survived by his only son Michael Richard Melton, Jr., his wife Jennifer and their children Kyle, Nolan, and Taylor 'Casper' Melton of Readyville, TN. Also survived by Jim and Virginia Murrell (sister and brother-in-law) Dick and Judy Johnson ( aunt & uncle) Tracy and Jeff Dawson ( sister-in-law & brother-in-law) and their children Jeffery, Aaron, Ethan, and Emily, Jeff and Sharon Moser( brother-in-law & sister-in-law) and their children Harrison and Andrew, James Clinton Moser (father-in-law) and wife Joyce, Judith and Bob Kerzner and daughter Kelsey Frix, Gerald & Jill Brown and daughter Catlin, Jay Johnson and son Javen (Cousins) Mollie Mae Melton ( devoted canine companion). Preceded in death by Mary Helen Melton (mother), Edna Thomas and Jude Johnson ( grandparents) Shirley Bellamy (aunt). Special friends to Mike and Robin are the 'Ten Mile Ten' and Jan & Joe Moore, Bill & Charlotte Harvey, Sharon & Bob Jenkins, Gary Newman & Kathy Hill, Chris Coleman, Shy Green, and Tracy Colmen. Special thanks to the wonderful friendship of ' The Tellico Bear Club' which includes Randy Hawk, Alan Henderson, Bruce Webb, Gerald Gardner, Norman Rucker and Gaither Miller. Special friends and honorary pallbearers are Doug Brown, Willie Ward, Tom Owen, and Randall Pearson. Special thanks to Dr. Jerry Foster and staff (Laura, Cindy, and Mike) and to Dr. William Harvey and staff (Charlotte, Lisa, Michelle and Linda). The family will receive friends on Monday, October 30,2006, from 6:00P.M. until 8:00P.M. at Kyker Funeral Home, Sweetwater, with a memorial service to follow at 8:00P.M. in Kyker's Chapel. Mike requested that donations be made in his memory to a charity of your choice or to the McMinn Regional Humane Society at 219 Alford, Athens, TN 37303, (423)- 744-9548.

Michael Richard Melton

April 13, 1947 - October 27, 2006