George Melvin Harris

Mel Harris

Venice, Utah

Our dear dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend to all, George Melvin "Mel" Harris passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the age of 84 in Richfield, Utah. He joined his wife, LuDean to celebrate her birthday in heaven.

Mel was born on May 19, 1934 at the family farm in Pleasant Grove, Utah to John George and Melva Warnick Harris. He attended schools in American Fork, graduating from American Fork High School in 1951. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Central States Mission from 1955-1957. After returning from his mission, be trained for the National Guard. On June 23, 1959 he married LuDean Wilcox, the love of his life in the Manti LDS Temple. She preceded him in death, December 23, 2016.

Mel attended electronics school. Following the completion of his training, he worked at Hercules, test firing missile motors, then at ElectroCeramics testing sonar equipment for nuclear submarines. He also worked at the University of Utah in the heating plant as the instrument maintenance man for the entire campus.

Mel and LuDean decided to move to Venice, Utah in 1965. In addition to his farm work, he worked various jobs to support his family. He held many positions in the LDS Church, including Scout master, youth teacher, ward clerk, bishopric counselor, high priest group leader, ward mission leader, and temple worker in the Manti Temple, a calling he and his wife enjoyed together for five years. He ministered to those around him through the last week of his life.

He considered himself as "The Venice Shepherd" working in the sheep industry for more than 50 years. He served in the National Columbia Sheep Association, American Suffolk Sheep Breeders Association, Utah Wool Growers, Utah Sheep Breeders, and was chairman of the Sheep Division of the Southern Utah Junior Livestock Show. He was honored and received many awards for his service to the sheep industry.

His greatest love was his family. He was always happiest when his children and grandchildren were around. He was proud of each one of them and loved to share their stories and accomplishments with everyone he met.

Mel is survived by his children: LuAnn (Tim) Smith, Linda (David) Baugh, Lynette Shirey, Ben (Laurie) Harris, Richard (Edith) Harris; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way; brother, Lynn (Evelyn) Harris; sisters: Louise (Robert) Wilcox, and Karen (Lynn) Newman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Calvin Shirey; brother Warren (Betty) Harris and sister, Arlene (Nile) Wilkin.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Intermountain Homecare, Sevier Valley Hospital, and Stonehenge of Richfield for the kind and loving care they gave to Mel.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Venice Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., and at the ward chapel in Venice Friday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Venice Cemetery with military honors by the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com