AREA OBITUARIES -- LARRY "DOC" MELSA

Larry E. “Doc” Melsa, a resident of South Fulton, died Dec. 26 at the Baptist Health of Paducah. He was 73.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 30 at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel, in Fulton, with burial to follow in the Johnson Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the hour of service. Attendees are asked to practice social distancing. Hornbeak Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Hicks Melsa, of South Fulton; a son, Luke (Amy) Melsa, of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Melissa (Todd) Brown, of Franklin, Tenn., and Helen Melsa, of Springhill, Tenn.; a step-son Bruce (Lea Ann) Hailey, of Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lynn Walker of Memphis, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Rose Utley Melsa.

Born March 7, 1947 in Jackson, Tenn., he was of the Christian faith and was a member of the National Guard in Jackson.

He retired as an Engineer from Canadian National Railroad where he worked for 42 years.

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

Tributes may be left online at www.hornbeakfuneralchapel.com/