Melvin E. Mecham

Melvin Everett Mecham, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away on June 1, 2018. Mel was born in Salt Lake City, UT on July 23, 1928, to Everett Hess and Lillie Elizabeth Dunford Mecham. He graduated from Logan High in 1946.
He attended USU for two years and then left on a mission for the LDS Church in Australia. He was caught in the boat strike which caused his mission to be somewhat unique. He served two months in California and three months in Hawaii. He served the remainder of his mission in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.
After his return, he obtained a BS degree in Education Administration. He married Janet Pond, daughter of Alma L. and Margaret Thomas Pond, in the Logan LDS Temple on June 12, 1952. Mel received orders to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, TX as a 2nd Lieutenant. After enjoying southern hospitality for a year, Mel and Janet were assigned to Laon A.F.B. in France. This provided an opportunity to travel throughout Europe. Their daughter, Michelle, was born in Chateauroux, France. After six years he left the Air Force and taught school in Hyrum, Utah for four years. Mel stayed active in the Air Force Reserve. They built a home in Hyrum and his competitive drive and selfless energy served him well: he worked on a master's degree, served as bishop, welcomed the birth of his first son Shawn, and partnered with his father-in-law in raising beef cattle.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was recalled to full-time military service and assigned to Travis A.F.B., CA. While there, a second son Allen was born. Soon after the family was assigned to Itazuke A.F.B. Japan. He served as an LDS district president and had many spiritual opportunities, including making accommodations for the first time arrival in Japan of a member of the first presidency, President Hugh B. Brown, who was accompanied by Elder Gordon B. Hinckley. While in Japan Marja Kei, was born.
Soon after they returned to the United States. Having learned to work hard in his youth, Mel achieved several awards; the most memorable one was "Senior Personnel Manager of the year for all of the Strategic Air Command". He served as a bishop in Wichita, Kansas and in Omaha, Nebraska. Even with these major responsibilities, he was an ideal husband, father, and friend.
In 1972, he came to Logan and found a home for his family. He then served a 15-month tour in Vietnam.
He retired from the USAF in 1977, returned to Logan, taught for 2 years, and then he achieved his ultimate career goal - becoming an elementary school principal. He felt he had the best of both worlds, military for 21 years and education for 20 years. After his retirement he found joy in church and community service.
Mel was a powerful force for good in all his endeavors. He blessed his posterity through his example and love. He was a gregarious, happy, positive man who was loved by many students, colleagues, friends and family alike. The hallmark of Mel's life was service to his Heavenly Father, his country, his wife and family, his students and friends. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Janet, his daughters Michelle (Chris) Daines, Marja (Greg) Bagley, son Allen (Sandy) Mecham, all from North Logan, UT, son Shawn (Teresa) Mecham, from College Station, TX, and brothers Norm (Karma Rae) Mecham, San Antonio, TX, Ed (Vicci) Mecham, Litchfield Park, AZ, and sister-in-law, Mae Mecham, Salt Lake City, UT. He has 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Melanie Mecham (twin sister to Michelle), sister Merle and brother-in-law Roy Jorgensen, and brothers Glenn and Ken Mecham and granddaughter, Christina Daines.
Many thanks to Dr. Michael Stones for his excellent, professional care and to Intermountain HealthCare Hospice and especially to Nurse Anna and Cameron Larson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 11th at the Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward Chapel, 1260 North 1600 East in Logan. A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Sunday evening at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center St. in Logan and from 9:30 am prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .