Velford Paul "Byrd" Melancon, age 75, a resident of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Chaffee Nursing Center, in Chaffee, Mo.

Born December 3, 1949, at Saint Amant, LA, to the late Walter Melancon and Anna Marie Simon Melancon, he had lived in Sikeston the past few years where he was a member of the V.F.W.    He was a pipefitter and welder and held a membership in the Welders 198 union in Baton Rouge, LA.   A U.S. Air Force Veteran, he served one year in Vietnam during his four-year service career.

On June 13, 2014, he married Debra Freeman, and she survives of the home.

Also surviving are his children, Vanessa Denam of Gonzales, LA, Melissa Guzzo of Arlington, VA, Jessica Melancon of Louisiana and Kacee Melancon of Houston, TX; his sisters, Joan Melancon and Rheba Anderson of Saint Amant, LA and his brother, Robert (Wendy) Melancon of Long Beach, CA; also, seven grandchildren survive as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Curtis Melancon and sister, Linda Melancon.

A military graveside service is being planned for a later date at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston, MO is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.