Carl was a born and raised Oklahoma native, and after school he found his passion in coaching football and track for 41 years. He coached all over, living and coaching in Marlow, Beaver, Sulphur, Konowa, Hobbs, New Mexico, Enid, Ada, Moore, and Denton, Texas. He was very athletic, having run over 50,000 miles in his lifetime. He completed 27 full marathons, including the Boston Marathon. Carl found the love of his life when he was 21 years old and he and JoLyn were married on January 22, 1965 in a ceremony in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the two have been married for 60 years. He took great pride in his career as a coach, impacting the lives of 1,000’s of athletes during his 41-year career as a coach. He coached several state champions in track and he never had a losing season as a head coach. He was a beloved member of each community he touched and he will be greatly missed by many.

Carl was preceded in passing by his parents; brothers, Virgil Melson and Al Melson, and neice, Connie Nelson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, JoLyn Melson; his sons, Chris and wife Judy Melson, Brandon and wife Traci Melson; daughter, Michael Ann and husband Bill Kerley; brother, Gordon and wife Pat Melson and sister-in-law Kathy Melson; grandchildren, Scott Kerley, Tobin Kerley, Lynlee Walker, Kyler Melson, Jordan Melson, Major Melson, Brooks Melson, Jadon Oberkrom and Tanner Oberkrom; great-grandchildren, Kash Walker, Kyrie Walker, and Cooper Moreland; nephews, Alan Melson, John Melson and Rowdy Cole; and neices, Ginger Melson, Dana Munoz, Barbara Hoppe, Dixie Odle, and Holly Bristol.

Family hour will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Crossway Church Foyer. Services will follow on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Crossway Church in Sulphur, with Bill Leveridge officiating. Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur.