Frederick Melcher Sr.

Frederick Melcher Sr., 99, of Rockport died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, one week short of his 100th birthday. He was born Nov. 28, 1907 in Wharton County.

Mr. Melcher graduated from El Campo High School and at age 21 he was offered the Gulf Oil distributorship in El Campo and remained there until he retired in 1968.

He served 12 years as a volunteer fireman, served as an El Campo city councilman and served as a trustee of the El Campo school district.

Mr. Melcher was Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge and was a life Mason. He was a navigator in the Civil Air Patrol and served in the U. S. Navy in World Wart II. He was a charter member and first president of the Rotary Club and was twice elected president of the El Campo Chamber of Commerce. He organized the West Wharton County United Fund and the West Wharton County Cotton Clinic. He served as Elder in the First Presbyterian Church and was chairman of the building committee that built the present church. He moved to Rockport eight years ago.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Frederick W. Melcher, Jr.; and three sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Hill Melcher of Rockport; one son, John Victor (Nancy) Melcher of Rockport; one daughter-in-law, Barbara Melcher of El Campo; four grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

A private memorial service was held in Rockport at the home of John V. Melcher with all his family present. Internment in El Campo will be held at a later date.

Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. of Rockport-Fulton 1-800-428- 2922.