Clayton Edward Melton

Clayton Edward Melton, 82, of Aledo, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.

Visitation: 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at Thompson Harveson & Cole, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76114 with Eulogies from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 20026 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 16250 Old Weatherford Rd, Aledo, TX 76008.  The family invites friends to a reception at the church following the Mass.

Interment: Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas. at a later date.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Clayton Edward Melton’s memory to:

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Scholarship Program

PO Box 150, Fort Worth, TX 76101

or

Tunnels to Towers Foundation online at  https://t2t.org/

Born February 19, 1944, in Gatesville, Texas, to Troy and Gladys Melton, Clayton moved to Waco at age 15 and graduated from Richfield High School in 1962. After competing in rodeo, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 as an infantryman. Following Airborne School, he was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.

He met the love of his life, Cynthia Sue Melton in 1964. They married on April 15, 1967, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and built a life centered on family, with their precious daughter, Tammie.

Clayton rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning in 1969. Over a distinguished military career, he completed advanced training including the Armor Advanced Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

He held numerous leadership roles, including commanding units in the United States, Vietnam, and Germany, and commanded at every level, from company through brigade - significantly impacting the lives of countless soldiers and families.

His many honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. He was also inducted in the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1993.

After retiring from the Army in 1999, Clayton served as President of a New York Stock Exchange company for 15 years. He remained active in his community as a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in Aledo, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and was on the finance committee for 10 years. He also served on the board of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, one of his greatest passions.

Clayton loved golf, horseback riding, and, most of all, time spent with his family. He will be remembered for his strong leadership, life-of-the-party personality, and genuine love for people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Gladys Melton; his sister, Willena Boyd; and his brother, David Melton.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia Sue Melton; his treasured daughter, Tammie Melo and husband Nuno; and his cherished grandchildren, Sydney Waitley and Jackson Waitley.

Clayton shared in an interview once, “I just enjoy life.”