25 Facts About Buck Melton

Buck Melton was the youngest child of Reverend Henry Martin Melton, a Baptist minister, and Mary Marguerite Melton.

Buck Melton was raised in Moultrie, Georgia, and graduated from Moultrie High School in 1941.

Buck Melton first visited Macon, Georgia, when he was six years old.

Buck Melton later received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University and his law degree from the Walter F George School of Law at Mercer University in 1949.

Buck Melton served as a United States Naval officer during World War II and the Korean War.

Buck Melton served as an amphibious warfare officer in the Pacific theater during World War II.

In 1983, Buck Melton retired from the US Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander.

Buck Melton met his future wife, Tommie Beck, while both were attending a play at the Macon Little Theatre.

Buck Melton practiced as a lawyer in Macon before entering politics.

Buck Melton became the President of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce in 1971 and president of the Macon Bar Association in 1973.

Buck Melton helped establish the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission in 1974 and provided pro bono legal work to the organization.

Buck Melton served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Georgia Board of Industry and Trade, the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, the Macon State College Foundation, and the Macon Civic Club.

In 1975, Melton was elected mayor of Macon by defeating his opponent, Julius C Hope, the city's first African-American mayoral candidate.

Buck Melton introduced the rollaway garbage carts to facilitate curbside garbage collection, a service which was introduced for the first time under Melton's administration.

Buck Melton instituted a penny tax, which was used to alleviate the city's property taxes.

Buck Melton declined to seek re-election for a second term in 1979.

In 1982, Buck Melton ran as an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate for Governor of Georgia.

Buck Melton lost the Democratic primary election to Joe Frank Harris, who was elected Governor in the general election.

Buck Melton made one more foray into elected politics in 1999 when he sought election as Mayor of Macon again.

Buck Melton remained very involved with his law firm until he suffered a major stroke in April 2007.

Buck Melton's health had further declined following heart complications suffered in January 2014.

Buck Melton died at the Carlyle Place nursing center in Macon, Georgia, on March 5,2014, at the age of 90.

Buck Melton's funeral was held at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Macon.

Buck Melton was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery with full military honors.

Buck Melton was survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Tommie Melton, and their two children, Leigh Singleton and Buckner F Melton Jr.