JACOB EUGENE MELSON

Lifetime Mat-Su Valley resident Jacob Eugene Melson, 22, died Jan. 7, 2006, in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in northern Iraq. Spc. Melson served for more than four years in the Alaska Army National Guard. He was serving in the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, stationed in Iraq.

A funeral service was held at Wasilla Assembly of God on Thursday. Burial took place at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Spc. Melson was born Oct. 2, 1983, in Anchorage. He graduated from the Alaska Military Youth Academy in 2001 and immediately went into the Alaska Army National Guard.

His loved ones wrote, &#8220Jacob had a precious heart that he gave to his best friend, Sarah Melson, whom he met at church growing up, and married July 21, 2005.

&#8220He had dreams of growing old with her right in the Mat-Su Valley, with the kids they planned to have.

&#8220Jacob loved his family dearly. He was a loyal son and brother willing to give his life for his family without a second thought.”

Spc. Melson is survived by his wife, Sarah; grandmothers, Velma and Loetta Timmons; grandfather, Bill; father Mark; mother, Teresa; brother, Josh; sisters, Sonja and Rachel; brother and sister-in-law, Shane and Ingrid Christel; nieces and nephews, Amara, Philip, Danica, Dylan, Emily, Isaac, Logan and Brady, and extended family and friends who will truly miss him.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Jacob Melson Fund for the Safety Bear Program, Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers, P.O. Box 100280, Anchorage, AK 99510.