Mel grew up in and around Carbon County Utah, he shared with us countless stories of adventure and misadventure, He then served a hitch in the United States Navy during the Korean war. All this was just the preamble, on October 16, 1954, Mel married his sweetheart, Eva May Hopkins in Elko Nevada.

Mel and Eva settled down in the mining camps of Carbon County where they welcomed a son, and not long after, a daughter. Seeking new adventures (and economic stability), Mel moved his young family to Salt Lake City where he joined the carpenter’s union as a laborer and began his lifelong career and creative passion. In Salt Lake City they also had another son, giving them a total of three kids to raise.

It was there, in Utah, at a small church, with a small congregation in a small town that Mel met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Eva had prayed to the Lord for years that her husband’s heart would be changed and, in an instant, the miracle of God’s free gift of eternal life was his forever.

Once their kids were out of the nest, Mel and Eva hauled all their worldly possessions to Dolores Colorado where they spent the remainder of their lives serving God, family and community. Mel built all sorts of things around the county, and all the while Mel and Eva took charge of the small Salvation Army post and never looked back. The two volunteers started two Salvation Army thrift stores, championed the bell ringing campaign, provided help to many in need with the money they raised and held a weekly Sunday gathering where the free gift of Salvation was preached to everyone who’d listen.

After 63 years of marriage, Eva passed away on November 15, 2017.

Eva’s passing was hard for Mel, but he spent his remaining years focused on God’s Kingdom and the sure knowledge that heaven is real, and his treasure is there. He remained active in his church and community, always helping someone, always teaching a Bible study, always working on a project in his shop.

Mel was an acclaimed wood carver, state champion wrestler and weightlifter, a national champion pistol shooter, and world champion discus thrower (at age 84!!) Those who know him are filled with grand stories of his achievements and his wonderful acts of kindness. (Even though he would always try to tell you he was grumpy.)

Mel is survived by his son Melvin (Anne) of Utah, daughter Caron (Dennis) of California, son Steve (Jennifer) of Colorado, his brother Lee (Charlene) of Utah, 9 grandkids, a great many great grandkids, lots of nieces and nephews, and many brothers and sisters in Christ.

In lieu of flowers, never pass the red Salvation Army kettle without thinking of Mel and Eva.

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:38