Arthur Melson

Apr. 6, 1926 - Mar. 29, 2016

Date of Service: Apr. 2, 2016

Arthur Melson Arthur “Bud” Melson

RUPERT – Arthur “Bud” Melson, 89, of Rupert, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert, of natural causes.

Bud was born in Cache, Oklahoma on April 6, 1926, to Cleve and Gladys Melson. One of thirteen children, he lived in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico as a child. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1950, and after completing his service, moved back to New Mexico to work on a ranch near Roswell. He was married to Jewel Ackerman from 1951 to 1953, and to this union, a son, Robert, was born in 1952.

In 1960, he met the love of his life, Sue Taylor, and the two were married on Christmas Eve of that year. Their children, Sandi and Sam, were born in Roswell. The family moved to Idaho in 1966, where he worked on cattle ranches and feedlots in southern Idaho before settling down in 1973, near Acequia, Idaho. Bud retired from working cattle in the early 90's and was able to focus on his saddles, fishing and helping Sue around the house.

He started working with leather when he lived in New Mexico, and in 1972, he decided to make himself a saddle. Over the next 40 years he created over 200 hand-crafted, custom saddles, specifically tailored to each customer. He also loved sketching and painting and any piece of paper within reach of his pen was likely to wind up embellished with a horse, a landscape, or a longhorn. Bud’s favorite way to relax was to head out to a nice secluded spot with his fishing pole.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue Melson; sons, Robert (Suzy) Melson of Belgrade, Mont., and Sam Melson of Escondido, Calif.; daughter, Sandi Hughey of Rupert, Idaho; grandson, Tyler Melson of Belgrade, Mont.; granddaughter, Carrie (Bill) Rhoades; two great-granddaughters, Samanth and Hannah Roades of Eagle, Idaho; brother, Andy Melson of Doniphan, Mo.; along with numerous nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and nephews, many of whom loved to visit Uncle Bud and go for a horseback ride.

Services with military honors were held on April 2, 2016, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Burley, Idaho.