Melvin Jared Anderson

Melvin Jared Anderson, 89, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at his home in Inkom, Idaho.

Melvin was born to Jared Oliver Anderson and Sylvia Mae Yancey Anderson on July 27, 1921 in Pocatello, Idaho. He grew up there in a house on Yellowstone Avenue. After he graduated from Pocatello High School in 1939, he played trumpet with the Swing Kings throughout the area until 1942 when he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the New England States Mission. Upon his return, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving during WWII in the Pacific and discharged in 1946.

Melvin married Marjorie Fern Lindstrom on September 3, 1946 in the Idaho Falls Temple. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in astrophysics from Idaho State University. In 1956, Melvin and Marjorie bought a farm in Inkom. They built a house and farmed for many years.

Melvin enjoyed many hobbies including the years he spent building a 43 foot motor-sailor boat and the 6 months during which the family sailed from Oregon through the Panama Canal and up to Florida. He also enjoyed skiing, and he built a ski lift at his home so the family could learn to ski. Other hobbies included camping, water skiing, astronomy, and powered parachute flying. Melvin invented and sold the Triex exercise machine for several years.

Melvin was active in the LDS Church his entire life and served in many capacities. In 1993, Melvin and Marjorie served a humanitarian mission in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. After returning home, they served as temple workers in the Idaho Falls Temple for several years until Melvin's health declined.

Melvin is survived by his wife Marjorie, Inkom, Idaho; his children, Val (Shelly) Briggs, Sandy, Utah; Melanie (Clifford) Kent, Arimo, Idaho; Leisha (Lynn ) Brower, Liberty, Idaho; Annalee (David) Rowe, Livermore, Colorado; Kolay (David) Johnson, Inkom, Idaho; Terro (Lori Holm), Inkom, Idaho; his sister Alice Mae (Colton) and brothers, Mark, Carl, Gale, Joel, and John. 32 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul Anderson and daughter Bonita Leigh Anderson.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 24, 2011 at 12 Noon at the Inkom L.D.S. Chapel with Bishop John C. McNabb of the Rapid Creek Ward officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Inkom L.D.S. Church and on Monday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Inkom Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.