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Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George

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Melvyn Harmon Obituary

Melvyn Tanner Harmon

Melvyn Tanner Harmon, 81, passed away on February 7, 2020 at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 10, 1938 in St. George, Utah to Elmer Woodbury Harmon and Iva Tanner Harmon.

Mel, the oldest of four children, grew up on a dairy farm in the Washington Fields. As a young boy he learned to play the piano and the trumpet. He helped his dad on the farm hauling hay, herding cows and helping with other farm chores while learning about hard work and ethics. He attended Dixie High School and Dixie College. He loved debate and was on the high school and college teams, which spawned his desire to study law.

Melvyn was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a mission to the Gulf States. While on his mission in Louisiana he met his eternal sweetheart, Jan Westmoreland. It was their shared love of music that brought them together and blossomed into 57 years of marriage. They were married and sealed together for time and eternity in the St. George Utah Temple on June 16, 1962.

Upon his return from his mission he attended the University of Utah graduating with a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1968 followed by his law degree two years later. He joined the District Attorney's office in Las Vegas, NV on February 7, 1968. For almost 30 years he served in the Major Violators Unit where he handled 275 felony and murder trials.

Mel was an avid fan of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. He and his family never missed a game and even traveled with the team for years including their National Championship season. Mel was also a fan of the Cleveland Indians and started listening to their games as a young boy

on an old battery powered radio. They were his team through thick and thin.

Melvyn will be remembered by his love for all mankind, and his warm smile. He is survived by his wife Jan, his children, John, Robert (Amy), Rachel (Nicolas) Olmedo, Gary, his sisters, Ilene (Steven) Hafen, Helen (Glen) Esplin, Joan (Mark) Chipman, his 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. He was proceeded in death by his daughter, Melodie Harmon Sandberg and his parents, Elmer Woodbury and Iva Tanner Harmon.

Viewing will be Friday February 14th from 6-8 pm at Spillsbury Mortuary,

110 S. Bluff in St. George, Utah and again Saturday February 15th from 9:30-10:30 am at the Washington Fields North Stake Center, 3167 East 1140 South, St. George, Utah, with services to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be at the Washington City Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spectrum & Daily News from Feb. 11 to Feb. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Melvyn Harmon

Sponsored by Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George.

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Elaine Cooper

March 20, 2024

I would like to get in touch with John Harmon. He was friends with my little brother John barrows and they had a friend David Neville

Vancy Larsen

November 21, 2022

I would like to get in touch with Jan, I´m Betty Jane´s daughter and Dot Jones´s granddaughter. I have some pictures. I would like to send to you. Vancy

Jerry McHugh

April 3, 2021

I was a juror foreman on 2 of his murder trials and was amazed by his ability to get to the truth. Loved him from a distance. Great man

Vince and Kathy Laubach

February 15, 2020

I worked with Mel at the Las Vegas office of the District Attorney where he was both mentor and friend. Over the years my wife and I visited with Mel and Jan many times at their home in Washington, UT, after Mel's retirement. He always had a story to tell about his years in the DA's office. He was known for his compassion for victims and perseverance in the pursuit of justice. Although we did not share his Mormon faith, we had many discussions about the importance of faith and family. Our children also had the opportunity to know Mel and they admired him for his dedication to the highest of ideals.
May God bless Jan and all the family and comfort them in the loss of this wonderful man.

Richard Good

February 13, 2020

Mel was the epitome of everything a great trial lawyer should be and his style was envied and copied by others. It was truly an immense pleasure to have worked for years with such a decent, honorable man.

Janice Liston

February 13, 2020

I worked for Judge Thompson in District Court, Dept. 1 as the court recorder. Mel tried many murder cases in our department. He was always so professional, prepared, respectful and highly respected. He was a dream to transcribe. He was articulate and deliberate in his words and always quoted Shakespeare! One day Judge said we would be working on Saturday. Mel said...your Honor, Saturday is my family day. I will work Monday through Friday as long as you want but Saturday is for my family. What a great man. My sincere condolences to his family. Janice Liston
P.S. we worked on Saturdays many times

Pete Beckman

February 12, 2020

I worked a lot of cases with Mel and he was the most Honest decent man you would ever meet. It was a pleasure to have known him. My sincere condolences to the family. Pete Beckman LVMPD Ret.

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Memorial Events
for Melvyn Harmon

Feb

14

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George

110 South Bluff Street, Saint George, UT 84770

Feb

15

Visitation

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Washington Fields North Stake Center

3167 East 1140 South, St., George, UT

Feb

15

Service

11:00 a.m.

Washington Fields North Stake Center

3167 East 1140 South, St., George, UT

Funeral services provided by:

Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George

110 South Bluff Street, Saint George, UT 84770

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