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ORLANDO, FL (March 23, 2005) — The oldest of three brothers, Walter O. Meloon was just a child when his father Walter C. Meloon moved the family from New Hampshire to Florida and started the Florida Variety Boat Company in 1925. While upholding the tradition established by his father of “building boats to the glory of God,” W.O. always dreamed of great things and was instrumental in the company becoming part of organized waterskiing. In large to his vision, the company is known today as Correct Craft, Inc., an innovative leader in the ski and wakeboard boat manufacturing industry. On Monday, March 21st, at the age of 89, W.O. passed away leaving more than just a memory—he left us a legacy.A man of vision with a love for sales and design, W.O. started working after school sweeping the floors when he was just a young boy and worked his way up the ladder, holding such lofty positions as Vice President and President of Correct Craft. W.O.’s vision and initiative to keep Correct Craft afloat during turbulent financial times resulted in the creation of Midwest Correct Craft, New England Correct Craft, and Mid-Atlantic Correct Craft. W.O. was the first person in the boat industry to organize dealer meetings. These types of meetings were common in the automobile industry, but not in the boat industry. During his tenure, W.O. was instrumental in the construction of the company’s manufacturing facility known as Plant 1. He eventually bought additional land from his younger brother, Harold in order to have room to expand the company’s manufacturing facility. Today this expansion is known as Plant 2. He also brought in a full time Chaplin and held regular devotional services for Correct Craft employees. These are just a few of the achievements W.O. accomplished to help the company and keep his father’s dream alive.
The viewing for W.O. Meloon will be Thursday, March 24th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held on Friday, March 25th beginning at 1:00 p.m., both at the Fort Gatlin Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Orlando, Florida.
