‘Watermelon Man’ honored by family nearly a year after his death
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s been one year since a beloved street vendor – known as the “Watermelon Man” – was shot and killed during an attempted robbery.
This Saturday, his family is honoring his memory.
Watermelons are once again being sold at the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue on Saturday morning.
The faces behind the watermelons greet everyone passing by with waves and smiles.
Family of Watermelon Man honors his memory. Family of Watermelon Man honors his memory. Family of Watermelon Man honors his memory. Family of Watermelon Man honors his memory. Family of Watermelon Man honors his memory.
Daniel Materna and April Stokes said they’re selling watermelons in honor of their father John Materna.
“Just want to keep his memory alive. He loved sitting out here, waving at people, selling his watermelons. Just having a good day,” Daniel Materna said.
On May 15, 2023, John Materna was shot while selling watermelons on the same corner that his family convened at this weekend. He died weeks later after being taken off life support.
Demarion Tackett was charged with first-degree murder in Materna’s death. At the time of the shooting, he was only 15.
15-year-old charged in fatal shooting of ‘watermelon man’ John Materna, police say
Tackett is currently out on bond. He will be back in court on June 21.
Less than a year after his passing, Materna’s children admit that they are still trying to cope with the loss of their father.
“I don’t think you can move forward. I really don’t,” Stokes said.
“Just hope for justice and keep his memory alive,” Daniel Materna said. “Hopefully, the people out here still think about him every once in a while.”
While the family knew Materna as a dad, granddad, brother and husband, people stopping by say they knew him as their “Watermelon Man”.
“He’ll stand right here and he’ll wave to get the people’s attention. He also used to do cantaloupes,” resident Carolina Flowers said. “Buying them at the store, it’s not the same at the store.”
His children told WREG that the outpour of support from the community has been overwhelming, and his death has brought them closer as a family.
“We knew he was loved by us, but knowing how much everybody else loved him too, it’s unbelievable,” Stokes said.
They add that while he may be gone, his impact will last forever.
“We’re not going to let it go. We’re going to keep fighting for him,” Stokes said. “No matter what. He won’t be forgotten.”
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