Dates
Larry Shepherd Melton Jr., was born August 28, 1956 in Paris, France to Janice Lee Puckett Melton (Kelsey) and Larry Shepherd Melton Sr. The family soon was restationed by the U.S. Air Force to Japan. In 1963 they were moved to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. After 2 years, they were moved to Boise, Idaho. In 1968 his parents divorced and Larry’s mom gave him the choice of living in Boise, Indianapolis (her hometown) or San Angelo. He chose San Angelo and lived in the San Angelo area the rest of his life.
Larry attended McGill Elementary, Lee Junior High, Central High School and Angelo State University. It was at Lee Jr. High where his band buddies named him “Mama Melton” because he always was taking care of everyone. He enjoyed visiting his Dad and Mary Lou and his new relatives in Omaha. Also his Grandmother in Indianapolis and relatives in Georgia. He vacationed on the California and Texas coasts and always looked forward to a few days in Las Vegas.
Larry enjoyed going to and watching Dallas Cowboys games and the Texas Rangers. When visiting California, he saw the Los Angeles Rams play and the Dodgers. Some other sports highlights included going to the Indy 500 in 1985 and a Texas Rangers World Series game in 2011. And of course, as everyone knows, a HUGE Beatles fan! During high school and college Larry worked at the Dairy Queen on North Chadbourne where he was a graduate of DQ University. He hung out with friends at the Red Rooster on Avenue N and that’s where he picked up the name “Bud”. He worked for Enterprise Rent A Car, Lubke Chevrolet in Eden and Budget/ Avis Rent a Car at San Angelo Regional Airport. He retired in 2022.
Larry was preceded in death by his Dad, Larry Melton, Sr. and his stepmother Mary Lou Melton. Also his mom Janice Kelsey and stepfather Marvin Kelsey. Other relatives that preceded him are his stepbrother, Roy Peters, his grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Nebraska, Georgia and Arkansas.
He is survived by step sisters, Joan Brouillette, Jackie (Kevin) Heineman, Julie (Dave) Witulski, Jeanete (Phil) Kriegler, step brother, Bob (Penny) Peters. Larry is also survived by many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by a loyal group of friends, starting with his friend of 60 years, Kerry Scudder. Special friends include Butch Baker, Joe Lee, Candis Rodgers Hicks and the rest of the Central High Class of 1974. Also the Nacho Fest Bunch Jim Straughan and Bill and Mary Sebesta of San Angelo and Dave Boswell, his wife Ann (whom Larry had a BIG crush on) and Mike Benbow of Austin.
If you are coming to Larry’s service, please know that he wanted it to be a casual event, just a celebration of his life. So please feel free to wear jeans, shorts, Hawaiian shirts, bright colors and be ready to hear and tell some of your favorite memories of him.
A service will be held at Harper Funeral Home at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
His dry sense of humor, corny jokes and genuine care for his friends and family will be greatly missed. Go rest high on that mountain, Bud.