Heaven gained the rock of our family on April 18, 2018 @ the stroke of midnight. Mel was born to Lynn Eugene Mackay and Dorothy Edith Webb Mackay on December 11, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the oldest of three children. Mel married his high school sweetheart Marcia Guiver on January 31, 1956. They were married for 62 fun years! They were sealed for time and all eternity on their 55th wedding anniversary. Marcia’s mother said that Mel was the best birthday gift she ever received!
Mel served in Naval Reserves for 10 years & Coast Guard Aux for 5 years. Mel’s greatest contribution to the youth was serving as a Scout Master for 15 years. Through his unwavering service in Scouting, he influenced many young men to obtain their Eagle Scout Award and to make camp fire coffee. There were many times that Mel would stay up until 11:59 pm to help a young man earn his Eagle Scout before he turned 18 at the stroke of midnight. Mel also served for 10 years as a Scoutmaster leader for Scoutmasters at Wood Badge. In 1999, Mel was awarded his Silver Beaver Award.
Mel worked over 50 years in the concrete pipe manufacturing at W.R. White Co., Amcor, & Geneva Concrete Pipe. Mel began in the concrete pipe industry as a pipe layer. As many contractors would say “Mel started at the bottom and worked his way out of the trenches to the top of the industry”. He was a member of AGC served on the National Board and headed all of the AGC golf tournaments. Mel was a member of Mt. States Association, Concrete Pipe Association and many other associations connected with the pipe business. His business associates became his dear friends as was demonstrated at the outpouring of love for Mel while he was in the hospital.
Mel and Marcia have been members of the Cottonwood Country Club for 50 years. Mel was a member of the Harrison Duck Club for many years. He served as president of Bear Lake Water Board, member of the Mount Olympus Sewer Board, the board of St. George Mesas Home Owners and was HOA board of Hillside owners at Bear Lake. Mel loved his homes at Bear Lake and St. George.
Mel loved to bowl and play golf with his best friend and companion- his wife Marcia. Mel bowled a 300 game and received a beautiful ring for his accomplishment! Mel loved the outdoors. He built a family cabin at Bear Lake so that his family could enjoy the great outdoors together. Mel loved to hunt, golf, boat and fishing. He passed down the love of the outdoors to his posterity.
Mel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved all of his callings in the Church. Mel was a shining example to work hard and to play hard. Mel loved all of his grandchildren. Each one will say they are his favorite grandchild because he treated all of them as if they were his favorite.
Dad is the kindest, most gentle person, and would give his clothes off of his back if you needed it. Dad loved to tease his wife, kids and grandchildren. He sounded loud and gruff but he always had a smile on his face while he teased our friends. Mel was the epitome of honor and integrity. Thank you dad for your wonderful example and love to all of us.
Mel is survived by his wife of 62 years- Marcia, his daughters Missy Mackay-Whiteurs (Jack), Mindy Mackay-Swenson (Arni), Mark David Mackay. His also survived by his sister Lynette Mackay Thurgood and his sister-in-law Carolyn Guiver Nelson (Dave). Mel is also survived by his greatest accomplishments, his 11 adoring grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his faithful dog Batman. Mel is preceded in death by his parents, his loving parent in-laws Ray & Virginia Guiver, son Mick (Melvin Gene Jr) and his brother Keith Larry Mackay.
The family would like to thank the Doctors and nurses at IMC for the care they gave him at the end of his earthly life.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Olympus Stake Center, 2675 East 4430 South, Salt Lake City.
