Melotte, Thomas

Other Events:

• Obituary: 15 Aug 2012; Green Bay Press Gazette

Notes:

Obituary:
On Monday, August 13, 2012, Thomas Lee Melotte, 62, passed through his wife's loving arms into the waiting arms of his mother. He was born in Green Bay on December 9, 1949, to the late Clinton and Marie (Pierquet) Melotte. He was the eleventh of thirteen children. Tom graduated from East High School in 1968. In his younger days he loved to play hockey at Pickle Park and also played on numerous local baseball and softball teams. He took up golf in his 40s and it became his new passion. He loved the Packers and was a big Brewer fan. He loved to watch sports all day on Sundays. Tom worked for Green Bay Packaging for 38 years when he retired due to a back injury. He loved working for the Kress family.
Out of high school, Tom married and had three children, Thomas J., Timothy C., and Melissa. In the fall of 1984, Tom met the love of his life, his soul mate, his Honey Bunny, and in June of 1991, he married Julie (Dray). Together they celebrated 21 years of marriage.
If you knew Tom at all, you knew that he would give the shirt off his back to anyone; would stop and feed a homeless person; and probably told you how much he loved his wife. He always throught of others before himself, and didn't care what others thought about him and the silly things he did. The next time you see someone wearing a pair of bright yellow crocs, think of Tom and smile.
Tom loved and adored his grandchildren, Sarah, Brooke, Mya and Madelyn. Each of them held a special place in his heart. He loved to play Santa Claus every year or dress up as a clown for them until he got sick.
He loved to go to Captains Cove and sit on the deck and watch the people go by. If you were lucky he would squirt you with the water hose on a hot summer day. Taking a ride on the golf cart with his fellow Swamp Sucker Cruisers was a must every weekend.
To my dearest Tom, you and I had it all, first and most importantly we had each other, side by side, hand in hand, and always together. So deeply in love, you spoiled me every day, always thinking of me and never yourself. I will be able to go on without you because you have filled my heart with a love that will last forever. I will not say goodbye to you because you will always be with me, next to me, holding my hand, so please don't ever let go. I love you Thomas Melotte. Thank you for loving me. With all the love a girl can give, I love you, your wife forever, Julie.
Survivors include his wife, Julie; sons, Thomas J. and Timothy Melotte; daughter, Melissa (Mike) Hollihan; 4 grandchildren, Sarah and Brooke Melotte, Mya and Madelyn Hollihan; great grandchild, Arnold; very special friend, Clancy Derwin; brothers, Mike (Phyllis) Melotte, Pat (Sharon) Melotte, Ted (Peggy) Melotte; sisters, Peggy Melotte, Sue (Dennis) Kaster, Mary (Don) Kropp, Katie (Jake) Umentum, Judy (Bob) Cisler; mother- in-law, Judi (Ben) Gittings; father-in-law, Earl Dray; sisters-in-law, Ann Melotte, Cathy (Dan) Vanden Heuvel, Carole Shilling; brothers-in-law, Jerry Radjinski, David Dray, Dennis Dray; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Maxine (Pinky) Bramer, Darlene Radjinski; brothers, Richard "Dick" Melotte, Buddy (Babe) Melotte; nephews, Cory and Marty Melotte
Friends may call from 12 noon-7 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2012, at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. Funeral service at 7 p.m. with Rev. Jan Bast-Dalebroux officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the Melotte family at www.prokowall.com.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Green Bay Oncology and Heartland Hospice for their care of Tom over the past two years. We would like to say thank you to Patti for the love and caring spirit you brought to our lives.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Tom's name.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette from August 15 to August 17, 2012