Dallas M. “Tex” Melendy, 70, of Jefferson died on Monday, August 25, 2008 at his summer home in East Orleans.

   He leaves his wife of 44 years, Nancy R. (Soderlund) Melendy; a son, Earl D. Melendy and his wife Cheryl of Tolland, CT; a daughter, Cheryl G. Peterson of Plainville, MA; a brother, Norman R. Melendy and his wife Patricia, and a sister, Althea E. Hall and her husband Roger all of West Boylston; four grandchildren, Ashley R. and Collin T. Peterson of Plainville, MA, and Darrin M. and Danielle J. Melendy of Tolland, CT; and several nieces and nephews.

   Mr. Melendy was born and raised in Worcester, the son of Merton B. and Althea V. (Roberts) Melendy. He was a member of the class of 1957 at the High School of Commerce in Worcester. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 – 1963, and was stationed in Munich, Germany. In 1963 he moved to Holden and worked 39 years for the former Reed Rolled Thread Die Company, most recently as an NC Machinist, retiring in 1999.

   He was active in the Boy Scout program for many years, and served as a Webelos Leader, Assistant Cubmaster, and Cubmaster for Pack 46 at St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson. He served as a Scoutmaster for 14 years for Troop 182 at the First Baptist Church in Holden. He had a total of 18 boys reach the rank of Eagle during his tenure as Scoutmaster. He also served several years as a Big Brother. Tex especially enjoyed spending time with his family every summer at Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

   In 1990, together with his wife, he received the Community Citizen Award from the Holden Grange, and in 2000 he received the Award of Merit from the Mohegan Council, Boy Scouts of America.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral for Mr. Melendy will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3rd, in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Flowers may be sent or donations in his memory may be made to the Loon Preservation Society, P.O. Box 604, Moultonborough, NH 03254.