SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37
(By Senators McCabe, Mitchell, Rowe, Sprouse, Facemyer, Bailey,
Plymale, Bowman, Prezioso, Unger, Wooton, Jackson, Craigo,
Chafin, Anderson, Helmick, Edgell, Kessler, Minard, Sharpe, Ross,
Love, Oliverio, Caldwell, Hunter, Burnette, Redd, McKenzie,
Minear, Boley and Tomblin, Mr. President)
Expressing sadness at the passing of the Honorable G. Kemp Melton,
former Mayor of Charleston, former Sheriff and Assessor of
Kanawha County and distinguished statesman.
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton was a graduate of
Charleston High School where he served as class president and
played both basketball and baseball; and
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton was a graduate of West
Virginia University, where he was president of Sigma Chi fraternity
and a member of the Council of Fraternity Presidents; and
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton served his nation with
pride and distinction as a 1st Lieutenant in the 45th Infantry
Division of the United States Army during the Korean War; and
Whereas, For over 30 years, the Honorable G. Kemp Melton
served the citizens of Kanawha County in numerous capacities of
public service. He served as Kanawha County Sheriff, Kanawha
County Assessor and Mayor of the City of Charleston. During his
tenures in office, the Honorable G. Kemp Melton contributed much to the citizens of Kanawha County through his knowledge and experience
in government and business; and
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton served his community in
numerous clubs, organizations and associations, including the West
Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the West Virginia Association of
County Officials, the West Virginia Municipal League, the
Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction, the
National Sheriffs Association, BIDCO, Charleston Renaissance, the
Arts and Sciences Center, the Salvation Army Boys Club, Goodwill
Industries, the Heart Association, the Kanawha Youth Camp, the
Community Council, the Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and the
Kidney Foundation; and
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton served the West Virginia
Senate as an Assistant Doorkeeper during the Regular Sessions of
2001 and 2002; and
Whereas, The Honorable G. Kemp Melton was married to his
beloved wife Mae, with whom he shared the joy of having four
daughters, Jeanie Meadows and Cindy Dobson, both of Charleston, and
Beth Ellis and Laurie Stivarius, both of Atlanta, Georgia. He was
the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren; and
Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable G. Kemp Melton passed away on
March 2, 2002, leaving behind a loving family and a distinguished
career in public service which served as an inspiration to many;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate expresses its sincere sympathy at the passing
of the Honorable G. Kemp Melton, former Mayor of Charleston,
Kanawha County Sheriff and Assessor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable G. Kemp
Melton.