Melvin Croxall Cannon

LOGAN, UTAH: Melvin C. Cannon , 93, passed away on 23 May 2007, at the age of 93. Melvin was born on 25 July 1913, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Tracy Young and Lettie Taylor Cannon. Melvin married his sweetheart and life companion, Anne Holland, in the Salt Lake Temple 26 August 1937.

After graduating in 1933 from the University of Utah at age 19 with a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, he was called to serve a mission in the Brazilian section of the South American Mission. He was the 13th missionary to Brazil, serving a three year term of service.

Melvin returned to the University of Utah and received his Masters Degree in Chemistry in 1938. His education continued another three years at Boston University where he received his Ph.D. degree in Analytical Chemistry in 1941. Melvin obtained a fellowship sponsored by Elgin Watch Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Melon Institute of Industrial Science and worked on several projects. Eventually he decided he wanted to teach chemistry and was accepted as an assistant professor at the University of Denver and taught both physical and analytical chemistry. In 1947 Melvin joined the faculty of the Utah State University Chemistry Department and moved his family to Logan where he has lived ever since.

Melvin taught analytical and inorganic chemistry, and in 1955 was made full professor and was appointed as Chairman of the Chemistry Department. In 1979, at age 65, Melvin retired from the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

Melvin was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a High Priest and served as Bishop of the Logan 7th Ward for over three years. He also served as Bishopric counselor, High Priest Group Leader, Scout Master, and served as Patriarch in the Mt. Logan Stake for many years.

In 1980, Melvin and Anne were called to serve for 18 months as missionaries in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Mission.

Melvin and Anne loved to travel and traveled to Japan, Finland, Russia, South America, Alaska, Mexico, New Zealand, Israel, and many places in the United States. They were very active in the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

As life long rock hounds, Melvin and Anne spent many enjoyable years involved with the Cache Geological and Archeological Society (Rock Club) going on expeditions and putting on the annual Cache Gem and Mineral Show.

Melvin’s life was filled with giving service, both professionally and on a personal basis. He tutored adults in reading, shared his love of rocks and minerals with scouts, high school, and college students, and always had students from different nations for dinner at all holidays as well as helping them personally with school and adjusting to life in another country.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Anne. He is survived by their four children:
Bonnie Vaden, Ogden, Utah; Skip Cannon, Erie, Colorado; Marcia Leatham, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles; and Ken (Marty) Cannon, Logan, Utah; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Melvin is also survived by two brothers and three sisters: Ralph T. Cannon, Salt Lake City, Utah; Mrs. Woodrow D. (Judith) Marriott, Salt Lake City, Utah; Mrs. Edward L. (Frances) Hart, Provo, Utah; Mrs. J. Dean (Rose Ann) Gerstner, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Emerson T. (Wanda) Cannon, Salt Lake City, Utah. He was recently preceded in death by his older brother Trace Taylor (Marjorie) Cannon of Ogden.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 30 May, at the Logan 7th Ward, 565 East 100 South, Logan, Utah. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Tuesday, 29 May, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, Logan, Utah or Wednesday, 30 May, at the 7th Ward from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .