More detail on this person: Walton Ray "Walt"
Melson, 76, passed away Monday, August 5, 2013
at the Regent Care Center at Oakwell Farms in San
Antonio, Texas. Born on August 14, 1936 in Mamie,
North Carolina, he was raised in Chesapeake,
Virginia, where he graduated from Great Bridge
High School in 1954. He joined the U.S. Army and
proudly served his country in both peace and
wartime for 30 years. During his distinguished
career, Walt served with the 8th Special Forces
Group, 4th Aviation Battalion, 273rd Aviation
Company (Heavy Helicopter), and the 478th Aviation
Company (Heavy Helicopter) as a pilot. His
military decorations included the Legion of Merit,
the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star
with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster. He achieved the rank of
Chief Warrant Officer 4 and served at Fort Sam
Houston as Aviation Safety Officer before retiring
from the U.S. Army in 1984. Walt continued his
dedication to service as a civilian in his
community of Windcrest, Texas, where he served
as a Volunteer Fireman and Director of Public
Works for many years. He was an active member of
the Windcrest Optimist Club. Walt was happily
married to Teresa "Teri" Chutis who he met while
stationed in Panama. He enjoyed traveling,
woodworking, construction and mechanical
projects, and helping his family and many friends.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Julian
Riley and Ethel Daniels Melson; and grandson,
Donald F. Pulley Jr. Walt is survived by his wife
of 46 years, Teri of Windcrest, Texas; his sons,
Ruben (Liz) Melson of San Antonio, Texas, Jorge
(Laurie) Melson of Dallas, Texas, and Michael
(Kimberly) Melson of Dallas, Texas; his daughters,
Sharon Hodges of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina,
and Teresa Melson of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his
brother, Robert Melson of California; and his
eight grandchildren, William, John, Adam, Daniel,
William, Preston, Quinn and Hannah. Visitation
will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13,
2013 at Porter Loring on McCullough.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
American Cancer Society . Interment in Fort Sam
Houston National Cemetery.
Published in Express-News on August 11, 2013
Burial information: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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