Memorials › Melvin Leon "Mel" Kirkham
Melvin Leon "Mel" Kirkham
20 Oct 1934 – 5 Jun 2023
| Birth | 20 Oct 1934 |
| Death | 5 Jun 2023 |
| Cemetery | Lehi City Cemetery Lehi , Utah County , Utah , USA |
| Added by | Annie Duckett Hundley on 06 Jun 2023 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/255107514 |
Bio
Melvin Leon "Mel" Kirkham 1934 - 2023 VETERAN Melvin Leon Kirkham, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend to many, passed away on June 5, 2023, at his home in Lehi, Utah, surrounded by family following a brief struggle with lymphoma. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 20, 1934, the eldest son of William Leon Kirkham and Violet Florence Robbins Kirkham. He attended Lehi High School, graduating in 1953, and was active in student affairs and athletics. He participated in basketball, track, tennis, and cultivated his life-long love for gardening in the FFA. He was an avid member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Eagle rank and attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree. He was a talented musician and multi-instrumentalist, forming his first dance band, The Mel Kirkham Band, while still in high school. Later, he played professionally in other bands, including: The Blue Notes and The Corsairs. He served a mission for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission. Following his Church service, he began his education at Brigham Young University and joined the National Guard. Mel married the love of his life, Lueen Peterson, on March 12, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their first home in their beloved Lehi, Utah, and have spent the majority of their lives there since, participating actively in local government and community events. They proceeded to have seven children, 28 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Mel loves his family deeply, prioritized spending time with them, and regarded them as his greatest achievement. Mel had a long and distinguished career in banking, graduating from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. He held leadership positions at Valley Bank and Trust, Zions Bank, and ultimately served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of American Fork. A man of faith, Mel served the Church faithfully in many positions, including: a second full-time mission, joined by his wife Lueen, to the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. In addition, he found much joy in listening to jazz music, maintaining a pristine yard and garden, golfing, hunting, and fishing. Mel's love of family traditions, including golf and tennis tournaments, skeet shooting, Thanksgiving bowling, and annual reunions, kept family ties strong. He is survived by his wife, Lueen; his children: Michelle (Daniel) Starley, Alpine; Todd (Christina) Kirkham, Lehi; Melanie (Mike) Houghton, Lehi; Darin (Jarris) Kirkham, American Fork; Jennifer (Jim) Ballard, Lehi; Judd (Natalie) Kirkham, Lehi; Anilee (Shane) Peterson, Lehi; 28 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Robert, Richard, Norman, Linda, Leona, and Margie. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leon and Violet Kirkham; and his sister, Connie Nielsen. Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Location: 200 North Center Street | Lehi, Utah Interment: Lehi City Cemetery — Wing Mortuary | 2023
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