Lynn Mecham

Lynn Mecham was born November 16, 1924 in Orem, Utah to Amasa Lyman and Gladys Haslem Mecham. He passed away at home on June 17, 2012 (Fathers Day). When he was a little boy, the family lived out by Tooele in a place called Bower, where his father ran a fruit farm. The sheep herders out there liked that little boy and each spring they would give him bummer lambs, and in return his mother would make pies for the sheep herders. Lynn has had sheep all of his life. They have always been his favorite past time and have brought him so much satisfaction. He has won first place ribbons at the fair. When Lynn was 13 years old his family moved to Vernal to help care for his Grandmother Haslem and the farm. His father later purchased his own farm in the Glines Ward. Lynn loved Vernal and has always thought it was the most wonderful place in the world to live. He attended Vernal Schools and had many good friends. When he graduated from high school he joined the Navy during World War II. He served aboard an aircraft carrier and was instrumental in helping the airplanes take off and land on board the ship. He sat foot on Japanese soil not long after the atomic bomb was dropped. Lynn always felt sorry for the poor innocent Japanese people who were caught up in the devastation of the war. After he was discharged and arrived home, he began to date Betty Rae Caldwell, and married her in 1946 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She was a wonderful companion and mother. They were blessed with children; Douglas Lynn (deceased), Leslie (Faith), Wayde (Pamalla), and Mariann (Mike) Gudac. Lynn was a farmer and liked to work the ground. Because of his diligence and hard work, he had the most beautiful farm in Dry Fork Canyon. In addition to farming, he worked in the oilfield for a short time, and for Meadow Gold Dairy for 8 years. He also worked 8 years for the Water Conservation District and he drove the school bus for 15 years. He made many life time friends with the students who rode his bus. Lynn drew an X-GI homestead in Rupert, Idaho and he and his family worked very hard to grow the crops they needed. He made it a beautiful farm, and when he learned that the farm in Dry Fork Canyon was for sale. He sold the Idaho farm so they could move back to the Vernal area. After his retirement, he and Betty purchased a home in Maeser where he worked diligently to make his surroundings beautiful. He always had a beautiful, and you could never find a weed of any kind on his property. Betty passed away July 31, 2000. In July 2001 Lynn married Maralyn Dodge in the Vernal LDS Temple. Maralyn brought with her seven children into the family. Brent (deceased), Jacki (Don) Hunter, Steve (Misti) Winters, Alan (Bridgette) Winters, Jeffrey (Wendy) Winters, Virginia (Jonathan) Winters, and Marci (David) Welcker. Together they have 39 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and several special grandchildren who preceded him in death. Lynn served in the Provo Temple for several years, and then in the Vernal Temple. He was active in the LDS Church, serving in many positions. He and Betty served a mission in Rapid City South Dakota, serving among the Sioux Indians, where he served as the Branch President. Lynn and Maralyn served a mission in Winter Quarters Nebraska at the Historic Trail Center and also in the Kanesville Tabernacle. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was very well read in the scriptures. He was a High Priest, a counselor in the High Priest Quorum, served as a High Counselor, as a Seventy and was a teacher in the Gospel. In addition to his wife Maralyn, he is survived by his brothers; Kay Mecham, Glen (Diane) Mecham, and sister; Darlene (David) Haile. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; Betty, son; Douglas, and his sister; Donna Burchinal. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Maeser 4th Ward LDS Chapel. Viewings will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 at the Blackburn Mortuary and 1 hour prior to services at the Chapel. Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 124 and 11 and the Utah Army National Guard. Services were entrusted to the care of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.