BMXers Mourn the Loss of Vera Melton

BMXers of every era mourn the loss of Vera Melton, beloved wife of BMX racing pioneer Jim Melton (JMC Bicycles). In the late 70s to Mid 1980s, JMC was a brand which stood for innovation, quality and craftsmanship over compromise. Vera was Jim’s “rock” and was there with him every step of the way, playing surrogate mom and self-described “warden” to legendayr BMX racers like Darrell Young, Jason Wharton, Sam Arellano and more.

Jim and Vera retired to Southern Missouri many years ago, but were special guests at a Rockford Vintage BMX show several years ago.

She was laid to rest this past weekend. Jim and Vera’s grandson, Jim Robinson wrote the following on his grandpa’s Facebook page:

Grandpa, I know I can speak for all 6 of us today, It was a great honor to serve as pall bearers for Grandma today. I have been a pall bearer many times, today was by far the greatest honor and most special person I have had the privilege of carrying to their final resting place. Thank you again – I love you both!

At BMX News, we feel it is critical to remember those people who contributed in such a major way to our sport.

Let the whole BMX community join Mr. Robinson in saying “we love you both.”

A very touching retrospective of Vera’s life was written by her son-in-law, John Robinson, and posted to Facebook by her granddaughter, Crystal Robinson. Read it now in a new window

—Mike Carruth