Jere Melilli, M.D.

Jere Donald Melilli, Sr. “The time of my ascension has come, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at the day; and not to me only but unto all those that love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Dr. Melilli was born April 14, 1933 and received the ultimate transformation on July 28th, 2021 when the Lord Jesus welcomed him into heaven. He was faithful to the purpose that God had given him. He was a family doctor for 45 years, a pastor for 40 years, a missionary and evangelist to 13 different countries, an educator who founded, built, and supported several schools, an author of five books, and held many other titles by which he served his generation.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Joan “Kitty” Melilli; three children, Jere “Jere Don” Donald Melilli, Jr., Angela Melilli-Raphael, Jonathan F. Melilli; five grandchildren, Lacee Perry, Jonathan “Jay” Melilli, Alexandria “Lexi” Melilli, Jaden Melilli, and Jordan Melilli; three great-grandchildren, Fields Perry, William Perry, and Eleanor Perry; and a brother and sister-in-law, David Victor and Darrellynn Hon Melilli. He is preceded in death by his son, Stephen Melilli, his father, Jasper A. Melilli, Sr., his mother, Josephine Pecorino Melilli, and his brother, Jasper A. Melilli, Jr.

Before graduating Baton Rouge High School in 1951, he was the editor of the school paper and yearbook. He was awarded the Most Outstanding Key Clubber for Louisiana, Mississippi and West Tennessee Kiwanis District. After graduating from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1957, he went on to become board certified with the American Academy of Family Practice. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, Louisiana State Medical Society, East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society, Christian Medical Society, and was on the medical staff of both the Baton Rouge General and Lady of the Lake Hospitals. He served as Secretary of the Medical Staff for Doctor’s Memorial Hospital. He was a medical examiner for the Federal Aviation Agency, and a consultant for the Social Security Disability Division.

He served as a deacon for the First Assembly of God Church, and national vice chairman of Light for the Lost Men’s Fellowship Division of the Assemblies of God. Out of a coffee house ministry created for teenagers, Christian Life Fellowship and Academy were born.

These ministries not only impacted the city of Baton Rouge, but also the furthest corners of the world. He served on the International Board of Directors for the Full Gospel Businessmen for 18 years, and was president of their Local Chapter. He was a member of the Board of Regents at Oral Roberts University and filled that role for 20 years. He was vice president of Camino Devida in Lima, Peru, helped build an orphanage for Peruvian children, and was on the Board of Directors of Rancho Louisiana, an orphanage and bible school in Mexico. He was a senior member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

Services will be held at the Church of the King campus (formerly the Christian Life campus). Visitation will be from 9am to 11am on August 6th, 2021, followed immediately by the Celebration Service from 11am to 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Melilli Family Foundation, which continues his support of various ministries.