Emory Melton served the people of the 29th District, which at the time included Barry, Christian, Douglas, Howell, Ozark, Stone and Taney counties. Born in McDowell, he attended Verona High School, Monett Junior College, Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where in 1944 he earned his law degree. In 1945, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, completed basic training at Camp Robinson in Arkansas and was then sent to Texas to the criminal investigation school. He conducted investigations near Tokyo until he was discharged in 1946. While serving with the occupation army in Japan, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Barry County and was re-elected in 1948. A fifth-generation native of Barry County, he practiced law in Cassville and owned and operated several publications and businesses. Senator Melton was first elected to the Senate in 1972 and served through 1996, for a total of 24 years. (Republican)