FRANKLIN, TN (BRAIN)—Michael “Mike” Melton, 61, the builder and designer of bikes ridden by the successful 1984 and 1988 Olympic teams, died in his sleep last Thursday.
Melton had battled a rare neurological disease over the last four years, believed to be spinal cerebella ataxia, similar to ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He spent the last eight months at home with the care of Hospice, and is survived by his wife, Jamie Melton, and son Zachary.
After starting out as a frame builder in Columbia, South Carolina, Melton moved Delaware, Ohio, eventually closing down his frame building business to join Huffy to head its Technical Development division.
Since Huffy was a major Olympic sponsor at the time, Melton headed up developing the ’84 and ’88 teams frames. He also pioneered the use of carbon fiber in the industry.
A funeral for Melton was held earlier today at 10 a.m. at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, Tennessee, with the burial service to follow at 1 p.m. at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, in Nashville, Tennessee.
—Matt Wiebe
mwiebe@bicycleretailer.com
