Larry Lee Melton

Larry Lee Melton, a long time resident of Moses Lake, went on his final fishing trip Sept. 11, 2006. His death was peaceful in his sleep. Larry had been suffering from cancer for the last several months and spent his last days at the Sun Bridge Nursing Home. He was 68 years old.

Larry was born Feb. 26, 1938 in Olean, Mo., where he lived until he was 16 years old.

He worked as a logging engineer in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the U.S. Forest Service and ITT Rayonier.

In 1960, he met the love of his life, Alfreda Mae Bratcher, and married her on June 20, 1960 in Elko, Nev. Their daughter Treva Lynn and son John Edward were born shortly thereafter.

In 1965, they moved their little family to Port Angeles, where they purchased a house and 22 acres in the country. They started what soon became a successful dog grooming and kennel business. They bred and showed many different breeds of dog, however the black labrador retriever was by far Larry's favorite.

An avid fisherman, Larry and Alfreda would come over to the Moses Lake area to fish. They fell in love with the area and eventually sold the kennels to move to Moses Lake in 1975. Their stay, however, was short lived and in 1977 they moved back to the peninsula to a small town called Clallam Bay, where the owned and operated a small general store. This afforded Larry the opportunity to try his hand at salmon fishing and he even held a few fishing derbies for the local community to participate in.

Their hearts were in Moses Lake though, and in 1985 they sold that business and moved back. Larry pursued a career as a real estate professional and was well known by many in the community, not only as a fair person, but as a man who really enjoyed what this area has to offer for fishing.

Larry and Alfreda worked as a team in every aspect of their lives. It was rare to find one without the other. Their free time was spent touring the countryside or fishing in one of the many local fishing holes. This time Larry went fishing by himself, so if anyone were to ask, "Where's Larry?" Let's just tell them that he's gone fishing.

Larry is survived by his wife Alfreda, one daughter, Treva Melton, and a son John Melton from Spokane. Two grandchildren, Richelle Hickok of New Hampshire, and Travis French currently stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

Surviving brothers are Michael Melton' Raymond and Douglas Melton of Colorado.

He is preceded in death by his parents Clifford Melton and Rayma Leuthan Melton. His brother Joseph Melton recently passed away in Port Angeles.

There will be an open house for anyone that wishes to pay their respects at the family home, located at 10327 Road H 8 N.E. on Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m.

Donations may be made to either the Grant County Humane Society or Daze of Camelot Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers.