HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Towns County community is still in shock on Monday following the sudden death of a long-time coach and athletic director, Jim Melton, on Saturday from a heart attack. He was just 52.
“It has shaken the community for sure,” Towns County principal Bryan Thomason said Monday morning. ”He was Mr. Towns County and is an irreplaceable figure. He loved Towns County, Towns County High School, and Towns County athletes."
Thomason said Towns County social media sites have been flooded with people trying to make sense of Melton’s sudden passing.
"To be honest with you, I’m still in shock about it,” he said. “It’s evident from all the social media activity that Coach Melton was beloved. I haven't really had time to process it myself. I keep waiting for him to come around the corner and sit down in my office.”
Melton coached the Lady Indians for 19 seasons before stepping up to take the Athletic Director’s position at Towns County following the 2016-17 season. In his time, he went 347-204, capturing four region titles (’09, ’11, ’12, ’13) and led Towns County to 15 state playoff appearances.
The Lady Indians also advanced to the Elite 8 five times (’00, ’08, ‘09, ’13, ‘14) and made three Final 4 showings (’00, ’08, ’13) as well. He posted four 25-win seasons and nine 20-win seasons in his 19 years at the helm of the program.
They are tentatively planning to hold the ceremony for Melton on Wednesday at the Towns County gym. Banister-Cooper Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, which should be officially announced later on Monday.
