John Arthur Melzer of Canton, Georgia, was born March 20, 1930 into the family of John
and Adele Melzer of Appleton, Wisconsin. John would be the eldest of three other siblings; Lee
and Valerie, which predeceased him, and his youngest brother Keith and his wife Beverly, who
survived him. Survivors of his immediate family include his wife of 69 years, Eunice, his
daughter Melanie, and his much-loved grandsons, Jonathon Deeter, (31), of Noblesville,
Indiana, and Chase James, (19) of Canton, Georgia.
John served a long and distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring after
30 years of service in 1975, with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His military role began in
1949, spanning the breadth of the Korean Conflict, and into Vietnam. Among his most
treasured military memories was serving alongside General Palmer, as well as in the intelligence
field during the development of the SR71 Blackbird.
After retiring from the USAF, he worked in the private sector at Crittenden Memorial
Hospital in West Memphis, Arkansas, and Baycoast Hospital in Baytown, Texas. Throughout his
life, he was an active member of several Baptist churches, serving as a deacon, and was a
supporter of the Texas Baptist Mens' Association. His charitable and volunteerism continued
when he and Eunice moved to Canton, joining the local fledgling organization of MUST
Ministries in 2003, of which he remained an almost-daily volunteer for the next 14 years.
John Melzer was most proud of his grandsons' academic achievements. His eldest,
Jonathon, graduated with a Master's Degree of Science at Wright State University. His
youngest, Chase, a Dean's List-ranked Junior at Toccoa Falls College, is pursuing a dual degree
of Biblical Studies/History, with plans to pursue his Masters in History upon completion of his
undergraduate studies.
It is appropriate that after celebrating 69 years of marriage with his beloved wife Eunice,
his memorial service and interment will be held the day after Valentine's Day, on Wednesday,
February 15 th , at 1:30 at the National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Melzer family.