- Melvin Jay Morrow, 83, returned to his true home on August 24, 2015 after struggling with congestive heart failure.
Mel was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, on September 22, 1931 to David L. and Alta Drollinger Morrow. His adventures in his formative years were many as the family took on many moves from town to town. He became known wherever he went as both a terrible tease and proficient hockey player. The family moved to Salt Lake City during his later teenage years where he graduated from South High School. He went on to serve honorably in the Korean War, then came home and was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Helsinki, Finland area. Shortly before his mission, while playing tennis, he met his wife-to-be, Shari Wixom, and they were married after his return on March 14, 1958. They enjoyed 26 years of marriage and had 6 children before Shari passed away in 1985. In 1989, Mel married Marsha Ross to whom he has been married for 26 years. Through these years their combined family has grown to include 47 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who he loved and adored.
Mel's passion included engaging in all sports, playing ice hockey and lacrosse in his younger years, and competitive baseball and basketball into his 60s. He enjoyed family history/genealogy, BYU sports, and maple nut ice cream. He loved and demonstrated absolute loyalty to his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mel was not defined by what he did for a living, but by what he gave to his church, community and family. He nurtured young people with smiles, encouragement, and the gift of his time. He coached hundreds of kids in sports, where building character and having fun was taught along with what it took to win. He supported his own children in everything they did, going to all performances, recitals, concerts, sporting events, and music lessons.
Mel's heart eventually failed, yet we were blessed with an additional 20 years with this man due to the gift of an organ donor. We invite all who have not already seriously considered organ donation to do so. The gift of this new heart allowed for more glorious happenings within our family than can be written here.
Family that survives him includes his wife Marsha Morrow; children Sherilyn Woodall, Michael (Christine) Morrow, Shawn (Ashley) Morrow, Melanie (Brad) Fillmore, Shannon (Neal) Hunger, step-children Chad (Jessica) Ross, Rachelle Ross, Courtney (Gary) Brough, Roslynn (Andrew) Deifel; 47 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Bate and Hilma Thirkill. He was preceded in death by Shari Morrow and son David Morrow.
In lieu of flowers we request donations be made to Heart Failure/Transplant Research in memory of Melvin Morrow through Intermountain Research & Medical Foundation, (801) 408-1775. We honor them for their loving care of him through 20 years of ups and downs.
Funeral: Saturday, August 29 at 1:00 pm at the LDS chapel at 1391 South 200 East, Farmington. Visitation: Friday, August 28 from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home (4430 South Redwood Road, SLC) and again Saturday before the funeral, 11:00-12:30. Interment, East Lawn Cemetery, Provo, Utah.
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1931 - 2015 (83 years)
