Jim Melton of Vinemont, Alabama, passed away at home, surrounded by family, on September 25, 2026. He was born in Anderson, Indiana, on February 13, 1939, to James and Pauline Melton. He met Tamara Melton in 1955, and they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this coming October 21st. His daughters are Kelly Willenberg (Dale) of Greenville, SC, and Jama Gay (Darrell) of Vinemont, AL. He worked for Nicholson File for 42 years, starting in Anderson, and moved his family to Cullman in 1976, where they stayed. He also drove for CARTS for 14 years. He was the proud grandfather of Brandy Troisi (Christopher) of Spartanburg, SC; Mariel Norton (Duncan) of Columbia, SC; Leah Harris (Cody) of Vinemont, AL; and Cordale Gay (Amber) of Vinemont, AL. Tamara and Jim truly found joy in their children, grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Whit Harris, Brenna Troisi, Adaleigh Troisi, Walter Harris, Dale Norton, William Harris, Paxton Norton, Landon Troisi, Addie Gay, Teagan Norton, Wrenlee Harris, Ari Troisi, and Camber Gay. But Jim’s love didn’t stop there; he was proud of his nieces and nephews in Indiana: Johnna Barnard, Michelle Newton, David Clendenin; in Iowa: Brian Waugh, Todd Waugh; in Georgia: JB Achenbach and Amy Achenbach. Jim and Tammy also had three honorary family members who spent time with them as kids: Jonathan Ryan, Shannon Lee, and Blake Mann.

Jim will be remembered for the many years he devoted to square dancing and for the joy he brought to dancers throughout North Alabama and Indiana. He began his career as a square-dance caller in 1970 and spent decades helping keep the tradition of square dancing alive. Over the years, he called dances for clubs throughout the area, including the 8ers in Decatur and Friendship Squares in Cullman. He called Mainstream through Plus dancing and also shared his talents as a line-dance cuer. As a member of CALLERLAB and licensed by both BMI and ASCAP, Jim was also a recording artist with C Bar C Records. His calling took him beyond local dance halls, including an annual role on the staff of the Smoky Mountain Ball in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In 2022, he was inducted into the Alabama Square Dance Callers Association for his unselfish dedication to benefiting square dancers statewide. Jim Melton's voice may no longer be calling dancers to “promenade,” but the friendships he helped create and the memories made on the dance floor will continue to live on.

A memorial service for Mr. Melton will be at 1 p.m., Monday, September 28th, 2026 at Cullman Funeral Home Chapel, Bro. Steve Rodgers and Bro. Phillip Robinson and family members will officiate.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11-1 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PrismaHealthUpstateFoundation.org/Memorials or mail a check and note with Jim Melton’s name to: Prisma Health-Upstate Foundation, 300 E. McBee Ave., Ste 401, Greenville, SC 29601, with Willenberg Endowment in the memo line; OR Sonshine Preschool, 320 3rd Street SE, Cullman, AL 35055, in memory of Jim Melton.

Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cullmanfuneralhome.com