Howell W. Melton

Howell Webster Melton, Sr. (December 15, 1923 – December 18, 2015) was an American lawyer and United States District Judge. He served on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Education and early service

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Melton graduated from the University of Florida in 1943 with his Associate of Arts degree. Melton served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II and attended the University of Florida College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1948. He remained in the United States Army Reserve in the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1949 to 1953.

Legal and judicial service

Melton was in private practice in St. Augustine, Florida from 1948 until 1961. He was a county attorney for St. Johns County from 1959 to 1960. He served as a circuit judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida from 1961 to 1977. President Jimmy Carter nominated Melton to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on March 29, 1977, to the seat vacated by Gerald B. Tjoflat. Confirmed by the Senate on April 25, 1977, and received his commission the next day. Melton assumed senior status on February 1, 1991, serving in that status until his death on December 18, 2015, at his St. Augustine home. His son, Howell W. Melton Jr., is an attorney with Holland & Knight.

Sources

• Howell W. Melton at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.