Kenneth C. Melcher

Kenneth C. Melcher enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on February 23, 1955 at Omaha, Nebraska. He retired from the Air Force May 1, 1978 at Lowry AFB, Colorado in the grade of Chief Master Sergeant. During his career, he had assignments at Parks AFB, California; Larson AFB, Washington; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Langley AFB, Virginia; Keflavik, Iceland; Yokota AB, Japan; and Lowry AFB, Colorado (three times). While assigned to Yokota AB, Japan, he had numerous TDYs to Vietnam and Thailand in support of F-105 aircraft. During his career, he worked on radar equipment installed in various fighter aircraft. In August 1979, he was hired at Lowry AFB as an Electronics Equipment Specialist with logistic support of the F-15 and F-16 aircraft. He worked at Lowry for 15 years and retired in 1994 with 38 ½ years of combined Federal service. Ken was a volunteer on the Board of Directors of Westerra Credit Union (formerly Gateway) for over 32 years and held various board positions. Ken was the Treasurer for the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) local chapter and the E-9ers Association of Colorado as treasurer. He served with the Associated Veterans of Colorado (AVC) organization that hosts the annual Memorial Day activities at Fort Logan. He was an Ambassador for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce (18 years) and served on the Chamber Defense Council. He also served on the Chamber Governmental Affairs and Transportation committees. Ken was Chairman of the Veterans Salute, which is a program sponsored by the Aurora Center for Active Adults and KEZW to honor veterans of all wars. Ken was a past President of the United Veterans Committee (UVC) of Colorado, which is a coalition of 53 separate veteran service organizations and represents over 460, 000 veterans in the state of Colorado. He also served on the Veterans Advisory Committee and Academy Selection Team for Congressman Ed Perlmutter. Ken was a Director on the Colorado Civil Air Patrol Foundation Board; served on the Fitzsimons State Veterans Nursing Home Advisory Board; and was the Past Commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Colorado. Ken was a member of the American Legion, Air Force Association (AFA), Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), American Military Society, and the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association (AFTEA). Ken was had achieved many awards throughout his retirement life which including the following: Air Force Sergeants Association Division 11 Member of the Year, United Veterans Committee of Colorado Veteran of the Year, Colorado Credit Union League Volunteer of the Year, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Community Leader Award, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Bob Cardenas Award for Military Support, United Veterans Committee Meritorious Service Award, Colorado NARFE Federation Community Service Award, Disabled American Veterans Legislative Volunteer of the Year, Aurora Outstanding Community Senior Volunteer, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year. He is preceded in death by his parents Evelyn and Clarence; siblings Darrell (Marion) Melcher and Dennis (Lori) Johnson. Ken is survived by his wife Sharon; children Janice (Ray) Hall and Gary (Janet) Melcher; grandchildren Josh (Jamey) Hall, Chelsea (Ryan) Wall, Michael Phillips, Christopher D'Arcy, and Tyler Melcher; great grandchildren Kaylee Hall, Kenadie Wall, Raeleigh Wall, Madison Phillips, and Falynn Melcher; siblings Richard (Cheryl) Melcher, Gene (Bonnie) Melcher, Marion Melcher, Lori Johnson, and Randy (Brenda) Johnson ; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 10AM at Calvary Chapel at 18900 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013.