Charles A. Melson, Jr,.

Charles A. Melson, Jr. passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024 at the age of 101.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Melanie Gahn Melson; a granddaughter; a great-grandson; sister, Mercedes Lombardino (Joseph); and brother, John Murray (Joylyn)

He is survived by his 4 children, Charles S. Melson (Julie), Vickie Dares (Dave), Julie Carroum (Don), and Terrie Taglialavore (Al); 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; sister, Patricia Wild (Warren). He was a loving father and will be sadly missed.

Charlie grew up in New Orleans and attended S.J. Peters High School, Tulane University, and LSUNO. In 1943, Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was trained as a radio operator and tail gunner on dive bomber planes. He served as an instructor during his time stationed in Hawaii and flew on missions searching for survivors in the Pacific Ocean. It was while stationed in Hawaii that he learned to play the lap steel guitar, a hobby he continued for many years. Charlie became a ham radio operator – call sign W5NDM. During initial Emergency Broadcast Tests in New Orleans conducted by the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps in 1953, Charlie served as operator acting as an alternate net control station ready to take over if necessary to provide local communications to the Westside area with emergency communications in the event of a disaster that might incapacitate normal communications facilities.

Upon his return from Hawaii, he and Melanie joined her family in Algiers and raised their children there. Charlie worked as electronics engineer for the U.S. Department of Navy at the Algiers Naval Base and was awarded a plaque from the Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Center for his role as Project Engineer. On the side, in September of 1955, Charlie and four friends opened ALLA TV Repair on Opelousas Street in Algiers. Charlie was also a lifetime golden eagle member of the NRA and a lifetime member of the WWII Museum.

In the 1960’s, Charlie became interested in boating and water skiing, oftentimes taking the family to Lake Pontchartrain after work for a boat ride or water skiing until the sun set.

In the 1970’s, after Charlie retired, he and Melanie built their dream home on the water in Pass Christian, MS and enjoyed late night sailing with friends. Not one to be idle, Charlie got his real estate license and sold real estate on the Gulf Coast in MS for several years. He became the President of the Pass Christian Isles Homeowners Association. Charlie was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, MS Federation, Chapter 1729 and in 2014 was awarded a citation for distinguished service. He was commander of the American Legion, Post 0077 for one year and a lifetime member. He was also an active member of the MS Veterans of Foreign Wars.

While living in Pass Christian, Charlie and Melanie became avid ballroom dancers. They were always the first couple on the floor and made some wonderful friends through dancing. Charlie loved to take cruises, play Scrabble, do crossword puzzles, and read books. He was generous with his time and knowledge to help others.

After Melanie passed away, Charlie moved into an apartment at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, where he lived for 11 years until his death.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial in the Chapel of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, 1800 Beach Boulevard, Gulfport, MS on Friday, September 20, 2024 at noon. ID’s will be required to enter through the security gate. Burial, with honors by the U.S. Navy, will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Avenue, Biloxi, MS. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Melson family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.