DEFRIES MELTON ELLIS

LCD Melton Ellis DeFries was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/18/2006 at the age of 69.5
Jonesboro, AR
Date of Birth 01/26/1937
Served in the U.S. Navy
Served in Vietnam with HA(L)-3 DET 5 in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam SEAWOLF
This information was provided by HA(L)-3 roster

More detail on this person: Melton DeFries Sr. JONESBORO -- The Rev. Melton E. DeFries Sr., 69, of Jonesboro died July 18, 2006, in St. Elizabeth's Place. Born at the Macey-Monette community, he lived in Florida and California before moving to Jonesboro 11 years ago. He was a retired minister of the Nettleton United Methodist Church for five years and a retired pilot for the Navy and Marine Corps, where he received many honors including the Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross with Bronze Wings, Vietnam Service Medal with five stars, Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Expert Rifle, United Nations Civil Action Medal, Distinguished Flying cross, Navy Unit Commendation (2) republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, USMC Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Pistol, Air Medal with Bronze Star and (19) Strike-Flight Medals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melton H. and Frankie Harrell DeFries, one sister and one brother. Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Nuckles DeFries of the home; one son, Tony DeFries of Pensacola, Fla.; two daughters, Teresa Fazzare of Placentia, Calif., and Rene Schutt of Naples, Italy; one stepson, Dr. Charles Nuckles; one stepdaughter, Claire Osment; one brother, B.J. DeFries of San Jose, Calif.; two sisters, Glyva Jo Grady of Pangburn and Phyllis McGoldrick of Sierra Madre, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the Macey Cemetery at Monette with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul United Methodist Church at Jonesboro. Officiating will be the Revs. John Soward, Patty Soward, Bonnie Sutton, Wayne Johnson, Jimmy Anderson and Rex Darling, district superintendent. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in St. Paul United Methodist Church. Active pallbearers will be Carl Guthrey, Birchard Roberts, Bob Ruff, the Rev. Jimmy Anderson, the Rev. Wayne Johnson and Fred Sitz. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the covenant class at St. Paul United Methodist Church and all United Methodist ministers. The family request that lasting memorials be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2201 South Culberhouse, Jonesboro 72401.

Burial information: Macey Cemetery, Monette, AR

This information was last updated 10/09/2017

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024


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