Robert Baxter Melton, Jr.

Robert Baxter Melton, Jr., 81, of Bainbridge, formerly of New Jersey, passed away Friday, May 20, 2022.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Robert Baxter Melton, Jr. was born August 27, 1940, in Orange, NJ, the son of Robert Sr. & Agnes Trezza Melton. After high school, he attended Seton Hall University. Robert married Sonia Kaminsky in 1985. In 2015, Bainbridge became their home. Robert was Catholic by faith.

As a retired auctioneer, Robert could fast talk his way right into your heart. He would strike up a conversation with most anyone especially if antiques or horses were a common interest. Robert was generous in spirit, almost to a fault, and loved making people happy. He served as Santa at the children's hospitals and local orphanages for many years and continued to support police officers and firefighters in any way he could. Robert was a practical jokester who enjoyed a good chuckle at your expense when you least expected it.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Sonia Melton; his sisters-in-law, Anne Laird of Bainbridge and Nadine Reschetnjak of Florida; his brothers-in-law, Ray Kaminsky and Alex Kaminsky both of New Jersey; and his best friend, Harold Williams, also of New Jersey. Robert was preceded in death by his parents.