Dennis “Rocky” Hodge Melton Jr., 86, of Jefferson City, Tennessee, passed away on September 30, 2026. Born July 15, 1940, in Enfield, North Carolina, he spent many years serving the community he loved.

Rocky had a genuine love for Jefferson City and the people who called it home. He proudly served as a Jefferson City Councilman, giving his time, energy, and heart to the community he cared so deeply about. For Rocky, serving on the Council was about more than attending meetings or making decisions—it was about people. He enjoyed knowing the residents of Jefferson City, listening to their concerns, sharing a conversation, and doing what he could to help the community he loved. He believed in giving back and being involved, and his years of service reflected the pride he took in calling Jefferson City home. His dedication to the city and its people became an important part of who he was, and he leaves behind a legacy of service that will long be remembered.

For several decades, he was affectionately known throughout the community as “Santa Claus.” His jolly spirit, warm smile, and love of making people happy made him a beloved part of Christmas for generations of local families. To many, he wasn’t simply Santa—he was the Santa they remembered.

He had a deep love for painting and enjoyed sharing that passion with others. He taught painting classes to seniors in local nursing homes, bringing creativity, companionship, and joy into their lives.

A man of strong faith, he loved Jesus, his family, and his community. He also had a special love for making salsa, a pastime that brought him great enjoyment and plenty of memories with those around him.

He was a proud veteran of the United States Army and a 58-plus-year member of Masonic Lodge No. 231 in Morristown. His years of service to his country, his community, and his Masonic brothers were an important part of the legacy he leaves behind.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his one surviving sister, Hilda Cockrell (Bert), his daughters, Beth (Andrew) Poppas and Denise (Chris) Fair; his nine grandchildren, Eden, Coby, Camden (Brayden), Jackson, Ava, Hadley, Nico, Bella, and Olivia; his two great-grandchildren Barrett and Lorelei; and his special friend of 25 years, Marilyn Barr.

He will also be deeply missed by countless friends, fellow community members, seniors he taught, families who knew him as Santa Claus, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his many years of service.

His legacy will be one of faith, service, family, creativity, and kindness. Whether serving his community on the Jefferson City Council, wearing the red suit as Santa Claus, teaching someone to paint, making a batch of salsa, or simply spending time with those he loved, he had a way of making people smile and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Receiving of friends will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will follow at 3:00 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to come together to celebrate the life of a beloved father, grandfather, friend, veteran, Mason, councilman, artist, and the man so many lovingly knew as Santa Claus.

Family and friends may sign the online register book and post condolences at www.resthavenmemorialgardens.com.

Services provided by Resthaven Funeral Home | Cemetery | Cremations.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dennis “Rocky” H Melton Jr., please visit our floral store.