Elery (Mel) Melvin Ward Obituary (1921 - 2009)

Mel Ward our beloved husband, father, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend passed away peacefully February 24, 2009 at the age of 87. Mel was born July 9, 1921 in Hillsboro, Oregon to Elery Melton Ward and Eunice Hester Pate. He grew up in Gresham, Oregon with his older sister Gertrude (deceased). He worked in his father’s grocery store, which led him to a successful career as Territory Manager for Standard Brands in California. He graduated from Gresham High School, and played trumpet in Lee’s Lambert Lads Band, traveling and making money to help his parents during the Great Depression. He joined the National Guard in 1939 and was drafted in 1940. He served in the Army for 4 years during WWII, the last two as a state-side Military policeman. Mel was married to Irene Ethel Orcutt (deceased) for 33 years. Irene had 2 sons from a previous marriage, Fred and Ken Hoopes that Mel helped raise. They were blessed with twins, a daughter Dana who died 2 days after she was born, and a son Rory. In 1986 when he was 65 years young, he made 3 decisions that changed his life. He married Polly May Sorensen, a woman 33 years younger, adopted her 3 year old son Kevin and joined the LDS Church. He was blessed with another daughter, Amber. His wife worked and he was a “stay at home” Dad. He was known as the PTA Dad and Mr. Mom. He took great delight in correcting people, who mistook his wife for his daughter and his 2 young children as grandchildren. Mel was an active member in the LDS Church and loved serving others in his church callings. His joy and spirit were a blessing to all who served with him and whom he served. He was embraced by all who knew him, including and his wife’s family. He was sealed to his wife and children in the Jordan River Temple on March 29, 1989. Mel’s love for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his extended family and his beloved pets were the most important thing in his life. Funeral services will be held Monday March 2nd at 11:00 am in the Crescent 12th Ward, 11000 South 89 East, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held on Sunday at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy (10600 So.) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm and again Monday from 10:00 – 10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment Orem City Cemetery.