Melvel "Mel" Owen

MELVEL “MEL” CLIFFORD OWEN

Melvel “Mel” Clifford Owen, age 97, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on June 22, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah from causes incident to old age. Mel was born on October 24, 1923 in Layton, Utah, the son of Royal C. and Edith Draper Owen. As a boy he rode through Layton delivering newspapers.  Later he graduated from Davis High School. He then attended Weber State College at night while working at the shipping docks at Hill Field during the day.

He served during World War II in the United States Army Air Force as a Navigator on a B-17G Flying Fortress. He met his sweetheart, Virginia Twigg, while he was at basic training in Fresno, California. After the war, he married Virginia on August 13, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.  He then continued his education at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, California. Mel eventually worked as an award-winning artist for Gillham Advertising Agency in Salt Lake City.  Later he was employed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an Art Director.

Mel loved life and lived it with energy.  He loved to tie flies so he could catch and release fish—as many as 80 fish in one day! He enjoyed gardening, being a scout leader and working with the boys, camping with his family, hiking at state and national parks, jeeping in Southern Utah, and making posters using his beautiful lettering skills. For many years he owned a cabin at Timberlakes and loved having family and friends come visit there to enjoy nature and socialize together. In later life he enjoyed singing with the Color Country Barbershop Chorus in St. George, Utah. One of his favorite things to do was to share his experiences from World War II with his family and friends. He was dedicated to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous positions throughout his life.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, his parents, Royal and Edith, his sisters, Ada and Margaret and his brother, David, his daughters, Linda and Marilyn, and his grandson, Eric. He is survived by his daughter Pris (Dick) McMillan, son David (Cheryl) Owen, daughter Jill (Randy) Shoemaker, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, with another great granddaughter about to be born.

His family is grateful for the excellent care he received from the loving staff at Summit Living Center for the last 3½ months.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. The viewing and funeral will be held at the Bennion 19th Ward Church-house located at 6250 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Burial will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery, under the direction of McMillan Mortuary.

To view a live stream of the funeral, please click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/96167435413?pwd=RldTa3NoU3BwNUsvUUlLZzhHMWlPQT09

Passcode: 455346

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