Melvin Alexander Coburn

Melvin Alexander Coburn, 94, died on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He was born at home August 24, 1931, in Smithfield, Utah, a son of Fred Leatham and Celia Poppleton Hill Coburn. He was the 8th of 9 children.
Mel lived in Smithfield until 2nd grade, then moved to Oxford, Idaho. He and his family were hard workers on their dairy and farm. He graduated from Westside High School in 1950 then served a mission in the East Central States area from 1950-1952. He then served in the Army during the Korea War in 1953-1955.
He married Arlien Mary Merrill on September 2, 1953, in the Logan Utah Temple. They became the parents of 7 children. Melvin attended BYU, Weber, and Utah State and eventually earned his master’s degree in Education. He lived in Logan and then Ogden, Utah. He worked as an auto mechanics and shop teacher at Weber High School for many years.
In 1972 Mel purchased his farm in Deweyville, Utah and retired there. He enjoyed doing farming, rock hunting, going on trips, painting, hunting, and being with his family. Melvin was a member of the Riverview Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by his seven children: Mellien West, York Coburn (Kathy), Merrillee Francom, Wynn Coburn (Tina), Dayle Coburn (Terri), Wade Coburn (Monica), and James Coburn (Alenda), 27 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Colleen Sorenson.
He was preceded in death by his wife Arlien in 2001, his parents, 2 sisters, 5 brothers, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and 2 sons-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Rudd Funeral Home- Tremonton (111 N 100 E- Tremonton). Burial services afterwards with military honors in the Deweyville, Utah Cemetery. Friends and family may call prior to the funeral from 9:00-10:30 A.M. Online condolences and the link to the livestream of the service can be found at www.ruddfuneralhome.com.