Dennis Melton

Dennis C. Melton, well-known architect, musician, and community leader died on May 5, 2021 as a result of a recent brain aneurysm.  Dennis was born in Winchester, Virginia on June 2, 1947 to Howard and Marion Walton Melton.

Inspired by The Beatles appearance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, Dennis and his twin brother Dale, formed a band called The Prodigals.  They went on to play with the Watson Brothers and other bands in the US and Canada and formed The Melton Brothers Band in 1977.  Dennis also formed a band called Crossroads with his son Michael, and the late singer-songwriter Billy Penn Burger.

Dennis received his degree in architecture from Drexel University in 1987 and launched Melton Architects in 1993. He was the architect responsible for the design or reservation behind many iconic landmarks in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, including the Anson Nixon Park Performance Pavilion, the Country Butcher, Philter Coffee, and the restoration of the historic Chalfonte House.  At the time of his death Dennis was the local architect of record for the Kennett Library.

Dennis loved being an active member of the Kennett Community. He served as President of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and was a member of the Legislative Committee and the Route 1 Corridor Initiative.  He served as the president of the Kennett Flash from its founding through 2019.  He founded and chaired the Summer Park Concert Series at Anson Nixon Park for its 14-year run. He also was a founding member of the MLK Breakfast Committee, serving on the program committee and singing in the choir for more than 14 years. Finally, Dennis, Joan Holiday, and Leon Spencer led the annual Holiday Caroling in Kennett.

Dennis is survived by his wife Donna Hicks Melton, to whom he was happily married for 37 years; his son, Michael Melton; his brothers Dale Melton (Joan Bristol) and Howard Melton, Jr. (Susan); his niece, Charlotte Melton, and grandnephew, Mason Lee Melton.

You are invited to visit with Dennis's family and friends from 2:30 to 4PM Wednesday June 30, 2021 at Hartefeld National Ballroom, 1 Hartefeld Dr. Avondale, PA 19311.  His life celebration ceremony will follow at 4:15PM.  A musical celebration of Dennis’s life will be held at a later date and will be announced on this obituary tribute page.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dennis’s memory to The Kennett Flash 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or online at https://www.kennettflash.org/ Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (1800-FUNERAL).  Condolences are welcome at www.griecofunerals.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Dennis C. Melton, please visit our Tree Store.