Larry Melcher

This man knew how to love.

Born November 17, 1947, the third of four sons, to Louie and Iris Melcher of Slaton, Texas, he had a knack for making friends and would go on to graduate from Slaton High School in 1965 having been voted Class Favorite. As a proud Veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1972.

Larry's first date with future wife, Nita, was June 21, 1981. Despite the fact they married some 3 ½ years later, on December 29, 1984, they always chose to celebrate the anniversary of their first date. They were fortunate to have 41 years together. Combined, they brought three girls into their life together and would add a fourth 8 ½ years later. He would unabashedly tell anyone who would listen that these four girls, and their families, along with his wife, were his greatest treasures.

Larry was blessed with an extraordinary gift of hospitality; he had a natural ability of making everyone he encountered feel welcomed, important, and seen. He and Nita took great pleasure in hosting numerous parties always with an abundance of good food and drink. It must be said that Larry was the life of those parties. Ever ready with a great joke or story to tell, he was able to entertain and entice so many smiles and so much laughter over the years. Larry also loved music, attending concerts, and had an impressive record collection to prove it. He liked being outdoors and was an incredible landscaper and enjoyed manicuring his lawn and keeping it and his koi ponds immaculate. After a long day at work he, and whomever would like to join him, could crack open a cold one and enjoy the fruits of his labor and listen to the bird's chirp and cicadas sing along with some James Taylor, Beatles, Eagles, or some other legendary band playing in the background.

A few paragraphs are not adequate to even scratch the surface of the many facets that made up such an incredible man, but all who knew him loved him deeply and never questioned his love for them in return. It was evident. Larry is survived by his devoted wife, Nita, four incredible daughters and their husbands; Tara and David Gonzales; Summer and David Chaplin; Erin and Chris Freeman; and Megan and Dylan Russell; his treasured grandchildren who brought him immense joy; Hunter and Hannah Gonzales; Braxton, Ayla and Evie Chaplin; Ford Freeman; and Jude and (arriving soon) Beck Russell. He is also survived by his three brothers: Ken Melcher and Carla; Joe Melcher and spouse, Glenn; and Mike Melcher and wife, Debra and a host of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Iris Melcher.

A celebration of life is being planned in Larry's honor. He will live forever in the hearts of everyone he loved. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in his name to your favorite charitable organization.