Anthony (Tony) Mellos was born in Los Angeles to Greek immigrants George P. and Orsalen Picoulas Mellos. His parents with Tony's older brother, Peter and their infant, Tony, moved to their newly built home in the Beverlywood Development between Beverly Drive and Robertson, where Tony spent his first birthday. Tony attended the neighborhood public schools of Canfield Ave Elementary School, Louis Pasteur Jr. High, and Hamilton High School. Tony was an excellent academic student and athlete, receiving multiple awards and trophies before graduating in the Winter Class of 1959.

Tony received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy upon his high school graduation, but due to the fact that his father was ill with prostate cancer, deferred for a year. He accepted a scholarship to UC Berkeley and was on their Freshman Football Team, which was the program of all UC Schools at that time. After his father's death, he went into the Air Force Academy for four years (required by all cadets, regardless of prior higher education). Tony was an important part of the football team which became ranked and went to the Cotton Bowl.

After graduating in the 6th Class of the Air Force Academy, as a 1st Lieutenant, Tony served at March Air Force Base his first assignment. His next assignment was contracting with the Ballistics System Division. He volunteered to go to Vietnam, and due to diminishing eye sight could not be a fighter pilot, but was assigned to the 3rd Combat Support Base in Bien Hwa. He was in charge of the base operations which included keeping the runway/landing strip operational at all time for all jets, cargo planes with equipment and supplies, troop carriers, etcetera. He was there approximately one month before the Tet Offensive of 1968 when the South was overrun by the Viet Cong and North Vietnam. It was his participation and heroic effort that resulted with his being awarded the Bronze Star. Tony ended his service at Vandeberg Air Base where he worked with the Minute Man Missile Program. His first resignation was denied as his position was deemed irreplaceable and denied for another year. All cadets are committed to four years additional service after graduation, and so he wrapped up his service after serving five years with the rank of Captain when presented with his honorable discharge.

After a break skiing and hiking, Tony realized that there was a trend toward natural, healthy snacks and decided rather than go into the private sector that he would start up his own company. He had grown up helping in the business that his grandfather had started, Gust Picoulas Nut Company, and was continued through the management of his father. This company had been established in 1903, and had the inventory for basic trail mixes, which Tony is recognized as the first to produce and market commercially. The company which Tony named Three Star Products, Inc. grew rapidly due to Tony's hard work and vision surpassing Gust Picoulas. He had to build a new building and get the latest machinery to produce his packaged products, after they were roasted, blended and ready to distribute nationwide. It continued to grow and expand, selling multiple assortments of packaged and bulk items, private labels for others, and crossing over from health food stores to large chains. He was very creative, inventive and successful in "romancing the peanut," as he referred to the process.

It was in 1973 that he met a young woman from Oklahoma, and knowing she was a football fan, their first real date was when he invited her to the OU vs. USC Football Game and there he told her as they sat in the Cardinal and Gold Section with her decked out in her red and white OU garb, that "it's a good thing you're cute." Two years later on November 23, 1975, Tony and Donna were married in Palos Verdes and within three months she was working with him in his business. They longed for children, but were married for almost 11 years before being blessed with their son, Anthony Tyler Mellos. His baptism was on their 11th wedding anniversary, and a big Greek celebration was held at their home in Pacific Palisades afterwards for all of their friends and relatives.

Tony and Donna are grateful for the blessed life they have lived and shared. God has extended Tony's life several times and their prayer that they would live to see their son grow into a fine young man was granted. Finally, Tony met his match with health challenges and God was merciful in calling him home. Both his wife and son were with him in his final hours praying over him and telling him of their love and appreciation of his provision, guidance, and companionship throughout their life together. Tony loved and adored his brother Peter Mellos, who passed away six years ago. Now they are together once again.

Funeral will be held at the Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006, on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Saint Sophia Cathedral, in loving memory of Anthony L. Mellos.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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