Melvin Miller Farr

Melvin Miller Farr (Mel), our kind, loving and giving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 5th, 2018. Mel was born May 22nd, 1928 in Ogden, Utah to Eleanor Miller and Lionel Ballantyne Farr. He graduated Central High School (Washington D.C.), University of Maryland and Georgetown University where he earned his Juris Doctorate Law Degree. He served for two years in the U.S. Air Force.

Mel married Joan Bennett Farr on Feb 2nd, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have six children: Melvin Bennett (Melissa), James Bennett (Susan), David Bennett (Emily), Carol Ann Farr Cook (Jerry), John Bennett (Angelin), Daniel Bennett (Stephanie), 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Mel was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a 2.5 year mission in Uruguay at the age of 19. After retirement, he and his loving wife served two full-time missions; the first was in Laie, Hawaii helping at the Polynesian Cultural Center and the second in Wasco, California teaching English. Mel wrote two books sharing his testimony and faith promoting stories for his posterity and loved ones. His lifelong passion was testifying of Jesus Christ to all those he came in contact with, even during his final days.   

Mel spent the majority of his career working for the LDS Church, with a large portion of that time pioneering the integration of the computerized church membership record systems.

Mel will be remembered lovingly by his family and friends. He truly cherished his wife, children and posterity.  He was deeply attentive to their needs and involved in their lives. He attended most, if not all, of his sons sporting events and his daughter’s dance performances. He loved rocking and singing to his children and grandchildren and playing Rook, Chess and Stratego with them as they grew older. Mel saw the good in everyone and he made sure they knew their worth. He blessed the lives of anyone who knew him by making them feel loved. Mel was always positive and genuinely happy. He brought smiles to everyone by telling jokes and performing magic tricks. His great granddaughter said it best, “We lost an angel.” Mel will be dearly missed.   

He is survived by his children and their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Tuesday October 9th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Bountiful Tabernacle, 55 S. Main St, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday October 10th at 12:00 noon in the Mt. Olympus Ward Chapel, 4635 S. Lanark Road. (3335 E) Holladay, Utah. Viewing from 10:00-11:45 a.m. Interment at the Farmington City, Utah Cemetery.