Jay Melander

Mr. Bradley Jay Melander, 67, of Beaufort, entered into eternal rest Thursday, April 2, 2026, at his residence.

Born August 19, 1958, in Fairbury, Nebraska, he was a son of Sharon Kay Brown Powell and the late Melvin Lee Melander. He worked as an installer for Ace Fence Company in Beaufort and was a longtime crabber with Charlie Smith. He attended Grays Hill Baptist Church. Jay was an avid Corn Huskers and Kansas City Chiefs fan, loved playing cards and enjoyed NASCAR Racing. Most of all, he adored his wife and loved his family. He dearly loved children; many of whom thought he was Santa.

Surviving are: his wife, Diane Herndon Melander of Beaufort; mother, Sharon Powell of Nebraska; step daughter, Chastity Williams and her husband Erick of Hendersonville; step grandchildren, Lindsey Williams and Justin Williams and his wife Stephanie; brother, Tim Melander and his wife Karla of Texas; sisters, Vickie Maschmeier and her husband Gilbert “Buddy”, Debra Smith and her husband Ron, and Jodi Dewey and her husband Marc, all of Nebraska; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Funeral services will be held 3 o’clock, Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 2026, at The Brice Herndon Funeral Chapel, Walterboro.

The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed in his memory to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

ARRANGEMENTS: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.