Jeffery Dean Melton

Jeffery Dean Melton died peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He took his last breath while praying the prayer to the Holy Spirit.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer, son Adam, parents Frank and Corrine Melton, sister Theresa Melton, in-laws Connie and David Romero, and Michael Romero.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Camille, his beautiful daughter, Sarah Melton Lee (Hamilton), cherished grandchildren: Elijah and Charlotte, sister and best friend Cindy Melton, in-laws: Ray Romero (Lynne), Charley Romero (Linda), Rosanne Tena, Orlando Romero (Donna), Marcella Gallegos (Ray), and Diana Barreras, Godparents: Prospero Sedillo, Angie Salas, Charley Romero, beloved Godchildren: Jeana Rae Gallegos, Rory Roberts, Hamilton Dominic Lee, Marcos Gallegos, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jeff was born on September 8, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida. He shared a birthday with our Blessed Mother! He moved from Navy base to Navy base until his dad retired when Jeff was in the 8th grade. The Melton’s settled in Albuquerque to be around Aunties, Uncles, and cousins. He and his cousins road their bikes all over finding mischief without trying very hard. The shenanigans carried on through high school. They seemed to hang out at the house where the parents were least mad at them at any given time. When everyone was mad at them, they rode their bikes until dark. By then, all the parents were mad at them. By the grace of God, they lived to adulthood.

Jeff married into the Romero family and melded right in like he was there from the beginning. Romeros are a bowling family and there began his bowling career. His first team was with the Romero brothers and his brother-in-law Joe Estrada. He developed and sustained many bowling friendships over the years. When he bowled a 300 game, the pinnacle of any amateur bowler, he immediately called … wait for it … his mother-in-law, Connie. She was a fierce competitor and his most staunch supporter.

Jeff loved watching sports. He and Adam could talk for hours about the most minute details of games, teams, and players. Hours and hours!

Sarah held a special place in her “Daddy’s” heart. They had their date nights on Thursday where she was his DD for bowling. They’d share a meal and she’d cheer him on! Sarah took him to his first Dallas Cowboys game.

Sarah and Jeff are both determined to the point of being stubborn as I’m sure Jeff’s coworkers can attest. He could fix anything! He was the handyman for his sisters and his parents, his kids and his Auntie. He complained once of having to start 5 swamp coolers in the spring and we have refrigerated air! With quiet determination he could figure things out. Sarah is just like him. Guaranteed, with YouTube she is following in his footsteps.

Sunday was family day. On these days you often found Charlotte sitting on the lap of her Pa. They adored each other. Jeff and Elijah liked to play blocks, race monster trucks, or watch Superhero movies together. He talked to them over FaceTime several times a day. Sometimes he would initiate the call and sometimes the kids would. They always said goodnight to each other.

A more patient fisherman could not be found. Jeff taught his kids and nieces and nephews how to bait a hook and how to cast. He was often at the side of the stream working on equipment for someone else rather than fishing himself.

He loved hunting. He didn’t bag many over his lifetime, but it was more about hanging out with his “brothers”. Some of his best memories were taking these trips.

Jeff was a gambler. When he fished, it was first, biggest and most. When he bowled it was bowling poker or high game scratch. Jeff Gordon was his favorite driver, but he cheered for any driver he drew. He bought squares from most anyone. For big games, he had 6 or 7 sheets in front of him. He loved Vegas! He took trips to Vegas regularly with his “brothers” for NASCAR and keno.

Jeff put his heart into all his work. He was dedicated! He worked well with others, developing many lifelong friendships. He worked the last 17 years at Presbyterian Hospital and it is heartwarming to hear what his coworkers have to say about him.

Elvis and occasionally a few other classics like Elton John, and Cher were heard on Jeff’s radio ALL THE TIME. Sarah was 9 before she learned that Elvis was dead. Sometimes, if you did something for him, he would point his finger at you and say “Thank you, Thank you very much!” So funny! That never got old.

Corkey and Jena and Jeff and Camille went out to dinner almost every Tuesday. When he wasn’t feeling well, he would perk up for them. He laughed at all the jokes and listened to all the gossip. When Jeff did not feel like doing anything at all, he would tell Camille to invite “the girls” over. He loved having them over and eves dropping on our conversations and they loved him.

He will best be remembered for his quiet, unassuming nature, his excellent listening without a stitch of judgement, and his commitment to his family and friends. He will be joining his family in the big mansion, spending Father’s Day with Adam. He finally won the lottery!

Jeff's Life Celebration will begin with a Visitation on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:00pm at Shrine of the Little Flower St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church located at 3424 4th St. NW, 87107. Rosary will be recited at 6:00pm. Mass will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 9:00am also at Shrine of the Little Flower St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest following the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery located at 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, 87109.