Melvin Lynn Middleton |
| Posted 2025-08-14 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, July 16, 2025, p. A-4 Melvin was born April 24, 1965 in Benson, Ariz., to Reverend Hugh and Lavinia Middleton, joining older brothers Duane and Robert. While his life began in Benson, the majority of Melvin's Elementary and High School education was in Holbrook, where his father built and pastored a church, yet the majority of his ministry life was in Wickenburg. As a teen, Melvin began singing with his musically inclined family. He sang with friends as well as family in many different church and social settings. During his teen years, Melvin learned a few different trades as he began helping his father in construction. And while still in Holbrook, he began leading the youth group and sang on the worship team. Throughout his life, Melvin worked for a tire shop, a motel clerk, drove a bread delivery truck, stocked for ACE Hardware and cooked at Coffee Break. The main focus of his work life would begin in 1992 when he would move to Wickenburg to lead worship for at Wickenburg Assembly of God, and at times served as youth pastor. Licensed to preach with the Assemblies of God, he began a young adult discipleship program "Watchmen and Plowmen." From that ministry, pastors, worship leaders and even a missionary would be born. Melvin loved trivia of all kinds: music, history, sports, medical and all the "ologies." His love for music, like most of his family crossed all genres: Barber Shop, Christian, Country, Jazz, Rap, Pop, and most of all Gospel and Worship. At the core of his heart, Melvin was a worship leader and songwriter. In 1999, he hosted a live worship event at the AoG Campground in Prescott. That special event was recorded; the album was titled "My Vison." Ten of the 14 songs were written by Melvin, and some were arranged by his friend Jim White. On Aug. 21, 1999, he married Amber Williams and to their union was born Alarae Elisa on June 7, 2001, and Mackenzie Anne Aug. 22, 2003. When Amber attended nursing school at CAC, the family moved to Mesa. Having fought diabetes most of his life, Melvin began to grow blind, yet he started a podcast called "Counter the Culture" that reached around the world. In the early morning hours of May 17, Melvin passed surrounded by his loved ones. He finished his course and kept his faith. As he closed his eyes for the last time on earth, he opened them to see the face of God. Melvin was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Hugh Middleton; and niece, Cayla Melendez. He is survived by his mother, Lavinia Middleton; Amber Middleton; his daughters, Alarae (Dominic) Rodriguez and Mackenzie Middleton; brothers Duane (Cheryl) Middleton and Robert (Julie) Middleton; chosen son, Johnny (Jessica) Antrim; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. A service celebrating his legacy and impact will be held July 19 at his home church in Wickenburg, Mount Hope Assembly, 550 Penn Lane, at 1 p.m. |
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