Melvin Elmer Alex

FORT HALL

Melvin “Mel” Elmer Alex, 75, of Fort Hall, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2007, at the Salt Lake Regional Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, of a heart attack.

He was born September 28, 1931, in Washakie, Utah, to Thomas Elk and Lucy Zundel Elk.

He married Lila Pubigee on September 24, 1949 in Nevada. They had three children, Leonard of Blackfoot, Idaho, Dennis of Minneapolis, Minn., and Karen (Lee) Lyon of Arbon Valley. They later divorced in 1969. He then married Lydi Roberts. They were also later divorced.

Mel attended the Washakie Day School. Chemaua Boarding School and Bear River High School. He came to Fort Hall in 1957, and worked in the Blackfoot area for Lambert Produce Co. He moved his family in 1959 to Taber and worked for Robert Reed. He started working in custodial work for Bureau of Indian Affairs and later in Fort Hall at the PHS Indian Health Center as an X ray technician.

Mel enjoyed team roping and was a member of the Old Timers Rodeo Association. He was a member of three bowling teams. He played softball and had a great love for basketball. He participated in the annual older men’s basketball tournament.

He is survived by his three children; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2007, at the Fort Hall Branch of the LDS Church on Highway 91 in Tyhee. Burial will follow at the Washakie Cemetery in Washakie, Utah. Family will greet friends on Wednesday evening, Jan. 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave. In Blackfoot, and one hour prior to services at the church Thursday.