Veldon Hix

1939 - 2017

Veldon Max Hix, 78, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away in an automobile accident due to a heart attack Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Veldon was born Sept. 5, 1939, in Grant, Idaho, to Milburn Green Hix and Verla Mae Cook Hix. He grew up and attended schools in Lewisville, Grant and Coltman, then attended Bonneville Junior High and graduated from Bonneville High School. He recently attended his 60th class reunion. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Idaho and earned a PhD in food science at Michigan State University. He is forever a Spartan fan.

On Aug. 21, 1959, he married Arlene Dorothy Nelson in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Veldon and Arlene made their home in Coltman. They shared a lifetime of friendship and adventures together. Their biggest adventure was raising seven children, Cindy, Julie, Shellie, Heidi, Torrey, Jeremy and Kiley. Their greatest adventure has been 31 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Family has always been first to them.

Veldon was a dedicated father and loved being a grandpa. He was always there supporting his kids and grandkids in all their activities. There with a smile, a camera around his neck and always a few personal words of admiration and encouragement. He was a gentle, kind man. The way he could walk up next to you and just give you a squeeze, no words needed, or play with a small child and make them giggle. The quiet words of encouragement after you screwed something up or fell short. But for a quiet man, he also never failed to share how darn proud he was and how much he loved you. Being around Veldon, you couldn't help but feel that things would be alright, as long as you kept trying to do what's right.

Veldon was a wise man. One of the "smart ones" that drew others in because you always wanted to run something by him or hear what interesting thing he read recently. He knew that making the most of his life meant working hard and learning as much as he could. He was a worker too, always another project around the house, a church event or somebody that needed help. Veldon worked as a food scientist for Roger Brothers and worked as the research manager for Miles Willard Technologies from 1980 to present. He was dedicated to his work, enjoyed the research and development of new snack products and had his name on several food technology patents.

As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many capacities over the years, including bishop of the Coltman 2nd Ward from 1982 to 1987. He and Arlene served a full-time mission in The Family & Church History Headquarters Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 2012 to 2013. Veldon was talented at family history research and was a certified genealogist. He could tell you any story about his ancestors and was famous for his Memorial Day tours at the cemeteries with his family. He served the community in many ways. He was on the District 93 School Board for eight years. He was recognized for his many years of service to the Boy Scouts of America and awarded the Silver Beaver. He was always active in youth sports and served as president of the Ucon/Ririe Little League and coached teams for many years.

Veldon was a loving, supportive husband and always took care of the love his life, Arlene. We are fiercely proud of his life. He will be missed dearly. We know he's still with us in spirit and can't wait to see him again.

Veldon is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Arlene Dorothy Hix, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter, Cindy Rae (Vaughn) Quinn, of Rigby, Idaho; daughter, Julie Ann (Randy) Chambers, of Spring Hill, Tennessee; daughter, Shellie Mae (Scott) Morrow, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter, Heidi Lyn (Eric) Franz, of Menan, Idaho; son, Torrey Nelson (Jodie) Hix, of Green River, Wyoming; son, Jeremy Daniel (Sara) Hix, of Ammon, Idaho; son, Kiley Mark (Melinda) Hix, of Orem, Utah; brother-in-law, Dale (Garna, deceased) Mickelsen, of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He and Arlene have 31 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milburn and Verla Hix; a brother, Delray Hix; and a sister, Garna Mickelsen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the Idaho Falls LDS Coltman 2nd Ward, 12448 North Fifth East, with Bishop Myron Creager officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Monday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Grant-Central Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.