Don Meldrum: March 25, 1927 - February 17, 2011

Donald Jess Meldrum was born in Payson, Utah, March 25, 1927. He passed away February 17, 2011. He was 83.  Don's Family moved to Mesa in 1929.  Don liked to tell the story of how he crossed the Navajo Bridge at Lee's Ferry just after it opened for traffic in January 1929.  Don grew up in Old Mesa when it still resembled a small, agricultural pioneer farm town.  He told stories of how the Indians came to town each week in horse drawn wagons and camped just off of Main Street.  Don had many wonderful stories about his childhood in Old Mesa.  Don graduated from Mesa High School in 1945.  He went immediately into Army basic training.  He belonged to several Mesa organizations.  Don's Family was in the mortuary business and Don knew right away that he, too, would become a mortician.  He was very proud of his lifelong career.  Don and Carl Heath started Mesa's Chapel of Prayer Mortuary in 1975.  Don bought out Mr. Heath in 1978 and from then until 1991, the facility was operated by Don, his beloved wife, Doris, and Meldrum Family members.  In his retirement years, Don enjoyed traveling with Doris to many far flung places.  He was a a member of the Methodist Church and a devoted student of The Bible.  Don was an excellent cribbage player.  He will be remembered for his rock steady, even-keeled personality and for a smile which always seemed to beam straight from his heart.

He is survived by Roger Schmuck, Susun McCulla, Linda Liesch, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Hansen Chapel of Prayer Mortuary, 108 N. 56th St. Mesa, AZ, 85205. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Premier Hospice, 3737 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.