Everett Melancon

Everett D. Melancon Jr. (Mel), 85, passed away quietly on 12 November 2016 at Mill Vista Lodge, Continuing Care, Wind Crest Community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He was born on May 14, 1931 in Norfolk, Virginia to Everett D. Melancon Sr. and Dorothea Stauffer Melancon. Mel grew up in Oakland, California. He graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland, California in 1950 where he was an active member of the track team. After high school he joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served for 8 years. He was an instructor and then was chosen for OCS. He completed his service as an officer in the 38th bomb wing at Laon France and at Ramstein-Landstuhle Air Base. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1957. Shortly thereafter he joined the reserves and continued his military service as an officer achieving the rank of major. He entered college in 1957 while working, first at Gates Rubber Co., then Martin Marietta. He graduated with a BS in Psychology. Martin Marietta hired him as a human factors engineer where he worked on Titan Missiles, Sky Lab, Space Lab and other Aerospace projects focusing primarily in Logistics. He retired in 1996 after more than 30 years. Mel married Patricia A. Breese in 1952 in Fort Collins, Colorado. They were married for 23 years. Mel and Pat divorced in 1975, however, remained close friends. Mel was a member of the American Alpine Club, the Colorado Mountain Club, the Sierra Mountain club and the YMCA. He enjoyed running, camping, hiking, climbing, biking, racing, cross country skiing, photography, travel and weight lifting. He rarely missed a day at “the club”, the Littleton YMCA. Mel was an avid reader continually researching everything from the latest information about nutrition and health to the sciences, especially anthropology. His library was legendary. Mel climbed all over the world including Nepal and Antarctica, however, his real love was for the Rockies. Among the fourteeners he summited Longs Peak over 50 times. Mel submitted and received awards for some of his favorite travel photos. And he was forever working to modify and improve equipment used in his favorite activities. These inventions may not have won public accolade but friends and family enjoyed the fruits of his labor. His love for the outdoors lives on in his children. Mel was preceded in death by his younger brother Orville Melancon and his parents. Mel is survived by his former spouse Patricia Melancon of Denver, Colorado; his son Jason, (Diane), Melancon of Littleton, Colorado; his daughter Desiree, (Keith), Itsell of Littleton, Colorado; his son Gregory (Kassandra Oakland), Melancon of Nashua, New Hampshire; his son Steven Melancon of Eldorado, Colorado; his sister Marjory Williams of Modesto California; his grandchildren Amanda Wilder, Samuel Melancon, Tina Secrest, Aaron Itsell, Austin Itsell, Rachel Itsell and Brendan Itsell; his great-grandson Calvin Melancon; and his nieces and nephews and other relatives. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in Mel’s name to the American Alpine Club 710 Tenth Street Suite100, Golden, Co 80401 and/or the Littleton YMCA 11 West Dry Creek Court, Littleton, CO 80120. Condolences may be left on Everett D. Melancon’s online guest book at AllVeterans.com/obituaries.