James D. Melling's Obituary
James D. Melling was born in Lancing Michigan on August 27th 1955 and passed away in Tacoma Washington June 20th 2016 at the age of 60.
James enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1976 and after 22 years 7 months and 26 days (he kept count) he retired form a long and Honorable career in 1999. In 1997 The United States Air Force moved James to the Pacific Northwest with his family after several extended tours in England. Upon retiring from the military James worked another job (sucking sawdust as he liked to call it) for a few years. Not long after James returned to what he knew best and found himself back to work for the Air Force as a civilian in 2004. James recently received an award for 35 years of distinguished government service.
During James assignment in England he met the love of his life Margaret MacDonald. As in any relationship they learned a lot about one another and soon fell in love. They were married soon after in 1979. And other than a remote tour to Korea they have enjoyed each year of their 37 years together. Their marriage produced two children Michelle and Michael, and one grand child Ella.
James was looking forward to beginning his new chapter as a full time retiree spending as much time as he could with his beautiful wife Margaret and their two children Michelle and Michael, his granddaughter Ella and son-in-law Brandon.
JD, as James preferred to be called and his friends knew him by loved his 1970 Chevelle, almost as much as he loved his Detroit lions. JD was never into other sports but he loved his football. His teams reflected where JD spent his childhood and time before enlisting in the military. It was the Detroit lions for professional football and Alabama and Michigan State for college.
JD never knew a stranger to him everyone was “Vern” no matter how long he had known you. He had friends from all over the world, no matter what he was doing or where he was he found people of a like mind, and if you didn’t share his thoughts or beliefs he had a perfect sign and song for you.
JD is survived by his loving wife, two children one grandchild, his brother, and his Mother.
He will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery with full Military Honors.
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