Melvin Carl Green

Melvin Carl Green (Mel) passed away on February 28, 2023.  In passing, as in life, Mel was surrounded by his beloved family. 

Mel was born on June 22, 1930, during the heart of the Great Depression.  He was the first child of Edwin Carl and Thelma Carver Green.  He was blessed with two wonderful sisters, Loralee and Janean.  He grew up learning the virtue of hard work and the value of a dollar.  He was careful, but quietly generous with his love, time, and resources.  

His first five years were spent in Eden, Utah where he learned at a very young age how to work on a farm.  Life in the ‘Valley’ was ideal, and he always considered it home.  

When he was five, his family moved to Taylor, Utah.  Leaving the valley seemed to end his idyllic life, but he grew to love the area and the friends he made there.  He attended the small Taylor School and went through all grades with the same three classmates.

Mel graduated from Weber High School where he excelled in debate, played Clarinet in the band, and participated in football. He attended Weber College before serving a mission in Western Canada for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His devoted service to the Lord continued throughout his life including in callings as Teacher, Bishop, Stake Presidency Councilor, and Aaronic Priesthood Board Member.

After his mission, Mel was drafted into the Army.  He was stationed in Germany as part of communications surveillance.  His completed Army commitment allowed him to attend and graduate at BYU.  While home in Ogden, Mel became reacquainted with Eleanor Marie Slater (Ellie).  Their friendship grew quickly into love, and they were married on December 5, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple.  

Mel and Ellie moved to Montana for a short time before returning to Utah to begin a business with his friend Richard J. Galbraith (Dick) and wife Sondra. Galbraith and Green pioneered a new path in self- insured employee benefits. Dick and Mel were lifelong business partners and the brothers that neither of them had. G&G became family as many friends were forged during those years. 

The Green family moved to Centerville in 1967 and added orchards to the farming experience.  Mel and Ellie raised five children and instilled in them the importance of God, Family and Country. The family often returned to Eden to work and play. All can relate to unique stories of ‘Mel Green Saturday Workdays’.  Play was equally important and could include: water or snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, horseback riding, golf, ATV's and more work.

Mel and Ellie presided over the Canada Calgary Mission (1982-85).  This took Mel back to the mission of his youth.  The love for their missionaries and for Western Canada never left either of them.

Mel had a second career in the graphics business, culminating in the companies Ferrari Color and Signs.com.  This engagement in new imaging technology and e-commerce business endeared him to lifelong friends and associates. He served on several boards including valuable work for WCF Insurance. 

Mel was physically strong.  For nearly half a century, he kept a daily log of his workouts.  He also held a life-long commitment to spiritual, mental, and financial health. 

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Slater; great-grandson, Lucas Fonnesbeck; parents, Carl and Thelma; sister, Janean Chipman; brother-in-law, Earle Sanders; his wife’s parents, Thomas Henry and Nettie Marie Nielsen Slater; in-laws, Jay and Joyce Donaldson; brother-in-law, Blaine Slater; and business partner, Richard Galbraith. 

He is survived by his children, Kirk (Sally), Sharalyn (Jay) Fonnesbeck, Blake (Nancy), Jana Kaye (John) Bilton, Bart (Andi); 24 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; sister, Loralee Sanders; brother-in-law, Terry Chipman; and beloved nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held Monday, March 6, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Centerville 7th Ward (270 N. 300 E., Centerville, Utah) and prior to the funeral from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM the same day at the church. 

Funeral services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page below beginning 10-15 minutes prior to services.

The family thanks all who blessed Mel’s life.  In lieu of flowers, please provide an anonymous act of kindness or donation to someone in need.