Freeman Melton, Jr.
Freeman H. Melton, Jr., 87, of Friona died August 23, 2013 in Amarillo. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday August 27, 2013 in the First United Methodist Church of Friona with Rev. Brett Hoyle and Rev. Kurt Borden officiating. Burial followed in West Park Cemetery in Hereford. Arrangements by Lagrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home of Amarillo.
Mr. Melton was born January 15, 1926 in Wellington, Texas. He was an outstanding athlete at Wellington High School and a member of the school’s Hall of Honor. After serving two years in the Navy at the end of World War II he attended West Texas State College on the G.I. Bill and football scholarship. He graduated in 1949 before going on to earn his Master of Education degree.
He married Rosemary Phillips in 1949. Freeman coached high school sports for three years before becoming principal at McLean High School in 1953. By 1954 he became McLean’s superintendent, making him one of the youngest top administrators in the state of Texas. He also served as superintendent of Panhandle Schools and elementary principal at Friona where he retired in 1987.
He was an avid golfer and devout member of the First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Conrad, and a sister, Mozelle.
Survivors include his wife Rosemary; two daughters, Julie Winegeart and husband Eddie of Amarillo and Joyce Vance and husband Frank of Amarillo; two sons, Steve Melton of Austin and Paul Melton and wife Jan of Fort Worth; one sister, Claudine Elliott of Muleshoe; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visit and sign the online guestbook at lagroneblackburnshaw.com.
