Melvin Carl Green
June 22, 1930 — February 28, 2023
Melvin Carl Green 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. 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 time, love 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. He attended the small Taylor School and went through all grades with the same three friends.
He graduated from Weber High School where he debated and played 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.
After his mission, Mel was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Germany as part of communications surveillance.
After the Army, Mel attended school at BYU. Mel became reacquainted with Eleanor Marie Slater. Their friendship grew quickly into love and they were married on December 5, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple.
They moved to Montana for a short time then returned to Utah to begin a business with his life-long friend (considered brother) Richard J. Galbraith. Galbraith and Green pioneered a new path in self- insured employee benefits. Many friends were forged during the G&G days.
Mel and Ellie moved their family to Centerville in 1967 and added orchards to his farming experience. They raised five children and instilled in them the importance of God, Family and Country. The family often returned to the valley 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, ATVs or more work.
Mel and Ellie presided over the Canada Calgary Mission (1982- 85). This love of western Canada never left them.
Mel had a second career in the graphics business, culminating in the companies Ferrari Color and Signs.com. His engagement in new imaging technology and e-commerce business endeared him to life-long friends and associates. He also served on several boards including valuable work for WCF Insurance.
Mel was physically strong and held a life-long commitment to spiritual, mental and financial health.
Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Ellie, his great-grandson, Lucas Fonnesbeck, and many other loved ones.
He is survived by his sister Loralee Sanders, children Kirk (Sally), Sharalyn (Jay) Fonnesbeck, Blake (Nancy), Jana Kaye (John) Bilton, Bart (Andi), 24 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.
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 a.m. the same day at the church.
Funeral services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on Mel’s Russon Mortuary obituary page beginning 10-15 minutes prior to the 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.