He was preceded in death by his parents Ruby Olivia Melson and William Arthur Melson. He is survived by his brother Bill Melson and wife Marise of San Antonio, TX, nephew Michael Melson and wife Lia Trevino of Austin, TX, and niece Amanda Melson and husband Robert Powers of Brooklyn, NY.
Jim attended New Mexico Military Institute and University of New Mexico, and played football at both. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a double major in accounting and computer science. Jim excelled in athletics with an emphasis on football which he played from Junior High School through college. He had an exciting, successful and rewarding career in the computer business with his most recent stints in military applications. His family and friends will dearly miss his warmth, good humor and Texas-sized laugh.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 2:00 pm, at Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18th Street, Plano, Texas.
Dorothy Wade (Crawford)
I am so shocked to hear of Jim Melson's passing. Praying for his family.
Sue Ann Carpenter
So very sorry to hear about Jim what a shock always such a special guy have known him since we were 13 at East will miss his sweet smile
Sue ann
Bob Lewis
I am absolutely shocked over this news. Jim just called me a week ago Monday. Jim was always quiet, gentle and a good friend. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and his many, many friends.
Bill Williams
Sorry to hear about Jim, was a good classmateCharles Mangham
So sorry to hear about Jim Nelson. To say I was shocked and surprised is a understatement. I knew Jim since the eighth grade at East junior high. He was a great guy with a great personality. I was looking forward to seeing him at the reunion. Prays to his family.
Robert Fall
All of RHS '63 are dear to me because I can remember a lot of those years and faces. This notice brought back a cold fall night in DeBremond Stadium watching football and a whole flood of memories. Jim and many others will remain in my winning line-up long after the 4th quarter. Wish he could have made it to the reunion.
Joe Zipp
I talked with Jim just last Tuesday. It seems he was checking in and taking the pulse of many of his classmates. We talked about me removing the bed slats from his bed when rooming with him, Greenhaw and Ford while at UNM. I thought it was very funny when I heard his butt hit the floor.But then I saw my locked bedroom door explode from the frame and there stood Jim with that laugh of his. For me it was an "oh shit" moment. Thanks for being my friend Jim. I will miss you!
Cheryl Bailor (Conroy)
I am stunned and saddened by the news about Jim Nelson. Jim came to visit us when I lived in California and we had such a nice visit. When I heard Florence was nearing South Carolina I called Jim because the last address and phone number I had was Myrtle Beach, in the direct path of the hurricane. There was no answer and I thought ,oh good he's evacuated his home and has gone to a safe place"! Please let me know what happened to him, this is so sad!Dick Storey
So sorry to hear about the death of Jim Melson. Long-time friend and colleague that I had, unfortunately, not stayed up with well. He obviously was very popular with the participating graduates and rightly so, I' say. He was a good person and his early loss leaves us all in sorrow and even disbelief. Our best wishes to his family and friends.
I want to say hello to old friends who commented here, e.g. Joe, Billy, Cowboy and others.
My best advice- stay upright at our age!
With deep sorrow,
Dick & Martha Storey
Joy Lee (Mullins)
Jim Melson "Jimmy" was a good friend..and I always thought I would see him again. We danced together at the 50th Reunion and laughed about how sorry I was at dancing; he made us both look good! Some people stay in our hearts forever.. Jimmy is one of mine.