Michael Waldram

Michael Lee Waldram

1948 2010

Michael Lee Waldram, 62, died on October 1st in Salt Lake City. On a beautiful fall day, he suffered a ruptured aorta while enjoying one of the things he loved most: playing a round of golf with his buddies. Mike was born on February 2, 1948, in Salt Lake City, the first of seven children to Byron Lee and Norma Williams Waldram. He was a truly gifted athlete, and sports were a huge part of his life. While he excelled at many sports, his two passions were tennis and golf. Mike was a two-time #1 singles champion in tennis and an All-State member of the basketball team at Olympus High. He received a scholarship to play tennis at the University of Utah and won the #6 singles title as a freshman, on a team that won the WAC championship and qualified for the NCAA tournament. Mike was a rare athlete, and after graduating from the U in 1971, he became both a professional tennis player and golfer. His easy-going style and natural gift for teaching made him an extremely popular instructor as he gave countless lessons in both sports in several clubs and at various courses throughout the valley. Mikes legacy includes helping to run several tennis leagues and coaching the Olympus High girls tennis team in the mid-90s (the last time the Titans won the state title). For the past fourteen years, Mike was a district manager for the Newspaper Agency Corporation. In 1969, Mike married Kay Smith, later divorced. From this union came two beautiful children, Mindy Kay Curtis Lobb and Michael Lee Curtis. Mike then married Judy Smith, later divorced. On June 21, 2000, he married the love of his life, Marianne Menlove, and together, they enjoyed a beautiful ten year marriage and had one son, Jaxon Menlove Waldram. He is survived by brothers: Jeffrey Williams (JoAnn), Patrick Thomas (Kathy), Kevin Rey (Debra) and sisters: Tina Buchi (Craig), Shelley Love (Richard), and Holly Rawlings (Scott); three children: Mindy Kay Curtis Lobb, Michael Lee Curtis, and Jaxon Waldram; three grandchildren: Meredith Lobb, Maggie Lobb and Rowan Lobb, forty two nieces and nephews, and father-in-law Max Menlove. Mike is preceded in death by parents, Byron Lee and Norma Williams Waldram, mother-in-law Colleen Menlove and his faithful dog, Snuggles. Mikes idea of a perfect day was spending time with his son, Jaxon, teaching him how to hit a golf ball or tennis ball. And when Jaxon was in school, he loved golfing with his brothers or friends up at The Dell or at Bonneville. He will be dearly missed by all, especially his Mens League golfers and his family who he leaves behind, until they see him again. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at University of Utah Hospital who fought so hard to save Mikes life. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 7th, 2010 at 12 noon at the Riverview Ward, 5550 South 1327 West, Taylorsville. A viewing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 South 200 East SLC, and at the Church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service on Thursday. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Jaxon Waldram Education Fund c/o any Zions Bank Branch. Online guest book at www.r