Larry Dexter Melton, Sr.

Larry Dexter Melton, Sr. age 64, passed away at the family home surrounded by family on July 4, 2015. He was an honorably discharged Army Veteran having served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded various medals including the Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster and Vietnam Service medal with four campaign stars. He was previously employed at the Blount County Sheriff's Department and the City of Alcoa Police Department. He retired from Allstate Insurance Company as a Senior Auto Claims Analyst with 25 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Sr. and Juanita Melton; brother, Teddy Melton, nephew, Kenneth Melton, father-in-law & mother-in-law, James & Jo Roberts; brother-in-law, Mike Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ann Roberts Melton; son & daughter-in-law, Dek and Rennay Melton; daughter, Beth Latham; grandchildren, Landan Melton, Haley Melton, Riley Melton, Alayni Latham, Zander Melton, Zoe Beth, Wesley & Bella Kate Beaty; brother & sister-in-law, Jerry (Butch) and Anne Melton, sister, Sharon Davis; sister & brother-in-law, Linda and Billy Davis and a host of special nieces and nephews. A special thanks to nieces Brooke Garner and Valorie Price; great-niece, Grayson Garner; nephews, Jimmy Melton and Jim Bob Davis; long-time friend, Ronnie Sellers; and the 2014-2015 Carpenters Middle School Baseball team for dedicating their season in honor of him. Larry enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his grandchildren in their activities, taking morning walks and the great outdoors. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until 2:30pm Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Smith Trinity Chapel with a Celebration of Life service beginning at 2:30pm with Pastor Jim Cummings and Rev. Mike Parker officiating. Family & friends will assemble at Grandview Cemetery at 3:15pm Wednesday for graveside service and inurnment. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or Blount Memorial Hospice, 1095 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Larry Dexter Melton, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.