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Veteran TV marketer Stan Melton Jr., 54, died on Wednesday, Dec. 29 after spending Christmas in Colorado with his family.
Most recently, Melton was community and promotions director at the Washington Post. Prior to that, he spent five years as creative services director at Sinclair’s ABC affiliate WJLA Washington, D.C., a job he also held from 2003-08. He also had served as marketing director at ABC affiliate KGTV San Diego and creative services director at CBS affiliate KENS San Antonio.
Melton started his career as a post-production editor at ABC affiliate KOCO Oklahoma City and also worked as a writer/producer for the NBC and CBS affiliates in Dallas, KXAS and WFAA, respectively.
Tributes to Melton poured out on his Facebook page.
“I don’t think I know anyone else who was as happy as Stan was (my estimate ~97% of the time, because someone 100% happy is just a fool),” wrote his brother, James Wilkins. “He always let you know you were welcome. Above all, he radiated with love for his family. He spoke with great pride about his wonderful wife and kids. He will be greatly missed.”
“Stan Melton Jr. and I go back 20-plus years when we were competitors at two TV stations in San Antonio,” wrote Greg Derkowski of 602 Communications. “He was good. Damn good. I once told him he made my life a living hell back then. He claimed I hadn’t done him any favors either. We laughed. We always laughed when we got together.”
“I’ve been a professional fan of Stan for over twenty years. I tried twice to hire him. I failed both times, but I gained a friend. It was impossible to not become his friend,” wrote Chris Sloan, owner and president of Miami-based 2C Creative. “Stan’s kindness, positivity, and enthusiasm for the business, life, scuba, and his beloved Washington Nationals were infectious. He lived a purpose-driven life as a missionary and volunteer as well, since he was a little boy. I’m going to miss picking up the phone and hearing his hearty laugh and ‘Hey Brother’!”
Melton is survived by his wife, Leslie, and his two children, Jessie and Zach. A memorial service is being planned for Feb. 26 – “until then, be like Stan and never let a day go by without making sure those you love know they’re loved,” Leslie wrote on Facebook.
In the meantime, well-wishers can make donations at PostHelpingHand.com, which provides assistance to several charities in Washington, D.C. Fond memories can also be shared on Kudoboard.
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