Buck Melton
| Buck Melton | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Macon, Georgia | |
|
In office 1975–1979 |
|
| Preceded by | Ronnie Thompson |
| Succeeded by | George Israel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1923 Arlington, Georgia |
| Died | March 5, 2014 (aged 90) Macon, Georgia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Tommie Melton (1954-2014) (His Death) |
Buckner Franklin "Buck" Melton, Sr. (October 24, 1923 – March 5, 2014) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Macon, Georgia, from 1975 until 1979.
Melton was born in Arlington, Georgia, on October 24, 1923. He was the youngest child of Reverend Henry Martin Melton, a Baptist minister, and Mary Marguerite (née Layman) Melton. He was raised in Moultrie, Georgia, and graduated from Moultrie High School in 1941. He first visited Macon, Georgia, when he was six years old.
Melton attended Norman Junior College. He 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. He served as a United States Naval office during World War II and the Korean War. He served as an amphibious warfare officer in the Pacific theater during World War II. In 1983, Melton retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander.
He met his future wife, Tommie Beck, while both were attending a play at the Macon Little Theatre. The couple married in October 1954.
He practiced as a lawyer in Macon before entering politics. Melton served as the city attorney within the administration of former Mayor Ed Wilson (1960-1963). As city attorney, Melton is credited with spearheading the abolition of Macon's segregation ordinances during Mayor Wilson's tenure.Andrew Manis, a civil rights historian and history professor at Middle Georgia State College, has credited Melton with both the city's desegregation and the improvement ofopportunities for the African-American community during the era, "In some ways, Buck Melton was Macon's finest hour when it comes to race relations...Black leadership developed a quiet confidence in Buck Melton as a person."
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