Melville "Tom" Booth Held, Jr.

Our loving husband, dad, grandpa and friend, Melville “Tom” Booth Held, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

Tom was born in Salt Lake City to Melville Booth Held, Sr. and Opal Jones Held on Sept 27, 1927.  He lived on the Held Acres in Salt Lake City until 1940 when his family moved to Farmington.  He attended South Davis Jr. High and Davis High School.

Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and was honorably discharged at 21.  Tom served as Motor Mechanic 3rd class on a PT boat, maintained a Landing Craft at Half Moon Beach Philippines, and Ferried ships to Zing Zau China while stationed at Subich Bay.

Tom met and married the love of his life, Ernestine Workman Held, on February 20th, 1949 at the Central Christian Church in Salt Lake City.  They purchased their old Farmington Rock home in 1950, where he lived until the time of his death.

A sought after Diesel Mechanic, a skill Tom learned in the Navy, he worked for Lake Shore Motor Coach Lines, Great Basin GMC, Rick Warner Ford and W.H. Pingree.  One of Tom’s Greatest Pleasures was part of the group to restore a 1930 Essex Salt Lake Line truck when with Pingree.

An avid motorcycle enthusiast, Tom’s first bike was a 1930 Indian Scout.  A rider since the age of 16, Tom and Ernie spent several years traveling the Western United States on motorbike, Ernie in the sidecar. 

Tom loved to hunt in Farmington canyon with his brothers and two sons and fish the surrounding mountain lakes with his grandkids.

Tom is survived by his wife Ernestine Workman Held, his brother Rowland (Sandy) Held, his Brother-in-law Bill (Mary) Workman, his sons Melville (Pam) Booth Held, III, John (Chris) Ernest Held, 9 Grandkids and 17 Great-Grand kids.

The family would like to thank the Hospice Workers and Visiting Angels who provided wonderful care and support.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 12:00 noon at Farmington City Cemetery, 200 E. 500 S., Farmington.  Family and friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street.

Tom’s wit and humor will never be forgotten.  In his words “No public viewing, no funeral, put me in a box and cover me up.  I won’t know or care.”