Jack Melvin Byrne was born in Rock Springs, on July 22, 1947, son of Jack Myrl Byrne and Iva Bernice Graham. Although many people called him “Jack,” he went by the name “Melvin” or “Mel” most of his life. Melvin lived on his Grandpa and Grandma Byrne’s ranch, where his dad milked dairy cows, stacked hay with horses and enjoyed fishing from the river bridge.
Mel later moved to Mountain View and became a tough wrestler at Mountain View High School. He played guard on the football team and they were conference champs in 1965. After he graduated, he went on to the University of Wyoming.
It was at UW where he gained a powerful testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one that led him to serve in the Ohio Mission and in many church callings, including as a much loved and appreciated home teacher, bishopric counselor and many others.
His own greatest success was found in blessing the lives of others. He is remembered for his random acts of kindness and enthusiasm and for the powerful Priesthood blessings he shared with us. Mel loved to visit the temples belonging to the church as he traveled around the world.
After being released from his mission, Mel married Bonnee Ruth Barnard on Dec. 18, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple while they were attending Brigham Young University. Their love has grown deeper every year and they look forward to an eternity together. They were blessed with nine amazing children. Mel was a loving, inspired husband, father and grandfather.
He had met Bonnee in Ohio while on his mission and returned there to work for Bonnee’s parents at Vita Mix Corporation for 27 years. He had much success, eventually becoming vice president of sales and marketing. He traveled all over the United States and internationally, including to Japan and Australia.
The family moved back to Utah in 1996, where Mel pursued numerous entrepreneurial endeavors until he was struck down by a stroke in 2013. He has demonstrated amazing inner strength as he has endured the trials of life with his sweetheart and family by his side. He will forever be remembered for his big smile, generous heart and teasing ways as he allowed others to help him when he could no longer help himself or reciprocate.
Mel is survived by his wife, Bonnee Ruth Barnard Byrne; seven of his nine children: Amber Iva Burrahm, Esther Ruth Hoffman, Angela Elaine Hadlock, Dallan Jack Byrne, Devan Jesse Byrne, Cory William Byrne and Cody Walter Byrne; 38 grandchildren (a few of which are unofficially adopted through second marriages); his sisters, Eden Walling and Iva Jeannette Nuttall.
He is preceded in death by his eldest son, Justin Melvin Byrne; Michael Erik Byrne (stillborn); and grandchild, Tyler Ethan Byrne;
We love and revere them all as well as all the spouses our children have ever loved.
Funeral services will be held at the LDS Church at 828 W. 1600 North, Orem, Utah, on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. with a 9:30 a.m. viewing.
