Terry Ray Melton, 78 of Azle, passed away Thursday July 17, 2025 surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Terry was a loving husband, a great father to his children, a great friend to his brother, and grandpa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was born Oct. 21, 1946, to L.Z. and Emma Lois Melton in Gorman.

Terry started working at the age of 12 with a paper route and retired at the age of 70 as a machinist.

He bought his own car in May 1964, a 1964 Chevy II Super Sport, beige and red interior, four-on-the-floor with bucket seats, two doors, hard top, brand new just off the truck that hadn’t received its maintenance. He loved showing it off and even raced it.

Terry graduated high school in 1965, went to Ranger College and Tarleton State University in Stephenville until he got all he could out of the local colleges and then went to the University of North Texas.

Terry did different things in his life. He loved fishing, hunting, horseback riding and playing guitar. He had a horse named Princess that he won trophies with and rode in parades.

He is preceded in death by his father, L.Z. Melton; mother, Emma Lois Melton; brother, Lonnie Melton; and sister-in-law, Wanda Melton.

Terry is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Karen Deniese Melton; three beautiful and wonderful daughters, Kimber Lee Rogers, Kellie Renee Wilson and Karina Faye Turner; best friend and brother, Jackie Melton; grandchildren, Krystal Archer, Jessica Richard, Gabriel Wilson, Wyatt Turner, Owen Turner and Karrigan Tinsley; six great-grandchildren.

The Azle News, July 30, 2025 Edition