Bradley Michael Melton

Bradley Michael Melton was born February 11, 1956 at Skaggs Hospital in Branson.  He attended school at Forsyth.  Graduating early he received his BS Degree in psychology and criminal justice at The School of the Ozarks in 1977.  He lived for a year in Kansas City, working at the Radisson-Muehlebach Hotel and Commodity News Services.

He returned home in late summer 1978 and began working first for the Taney County Republican and Branson Beacon Newspapers as a reporter and in the spring of 1979, News Director of the local National Public Radio affiliate at C of O, KSOZ, a position he held for six years.

In 1985, Brad returned to night school at SMSU, earning a master’s degree in 1987 in Counseling.  He entered the United States Army in the fall of that year.

Being trained initially as a combat medic, he later received training as a Licensed Practical Nurse then as a Registered Nurse.  He served three tours in Germany, once in Korea, in Somalia and throughout the United States, retiring in 2007.

Since retirement Brad had worked for a number of years as a psychiatric nurse at Lakeside Mountain Manor in Forsyth.  He enjoyed fishing, gardening and basketball at his alma maters, Forsyth High School and The College of the Ozarks.  He especially loved history and volunteered numerous hours for the White River Valley Historical Society writing dozens of stories for the Society’s Journal.

He leaves a number of family members and professional colleagues spanning four decades.  They include his mother, Fran, his two sisters, Tam and Serita, and uncle Robert Melton.  Especially close friends include Gary Beierle of Colorado Springs, Shirlee Richardson of Fort Campbell, KY, Mickey Wright of Powersite, his lifelong best friend from his teen years, Ann Osenga Cobb of Everton, MO and his beloved dog, Buddy ♥.  His father Raymond preceded him in death.

After Brad was diagnosed recently with congestive heart failure and kidney failure due to having been born with only one kidney, after weeks of prayer, meditation and counseling with his spiritual advisors, he made the decision to end his life.  Asked recently by a close friend when exactly he was saved, he replied, “Which time? He’s dragged me out of so many mud holes filled with snakes and alligators, I lost count.  I do know I’d been dead decades ago without Him.”

Per Brad’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service.  His cremains will be deposited next to that of his 3rd Great Grandparents at the Meadows Cemetery near Walnut Shade.  Thomas and Anna Goodnight Melton were Brad’s first ancestors to arrive in the Ozarks in 1839.

Recently asked his thoughts as the end of his life neared, Brad quoted Eleanor Roosevelt: “Learn from the mistakes of others.  You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bradley Michael Melton, please visit our floral store.