Kay Lyman Mecham passed away October 28, 2017 in Cedar Hills, Utah. He was born December 29, 1930 in Bauer, Utah to Amasa Lyman Mecham III and Gladys Haslem. Kay Married Marjory Pearl Snyder in Mindon, Nevada. They later divorced. Kay married Peggy Ardell DeSpain on December 20, 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
Kay grew up on a small farm in Vernal, Utah and quickly learned the value of hard work and sacrifice. He would get up at4 a.m.to feed and milk the cows, and separate the milk with his father before going to school.He was active in FFA and received many awards.He recorded in his journal that he had a very blessed childhood. He married Marge Snyder in 1950 and was drafted into the Korean Conflict not long after that.He was on the communication lines and saw much active combat including Heartbreak Ridge and The Iron Triangle.He returned home having served from 1951-1953.He worked his way through college by working at a gas station at night for $.50 per hour and using the GI bill. He graduated from USU in 1957 in Engineering.Most of his career he worked in Aerospace and was chief test conductor on many space flights including many of the Space Shuttle flights.He loved sharing his stories of those years.Most of his years with Aerospace were spent in FL.He retired inMarch of 1999. After marrying Peggy, who was the love of his life, he became active in the LDS church again. He served in many callings including High Priest Group leader, Young Men's President and he and Peggy together being Temple ordinance workers in both the Orlando Florida Temple and the Vernal Utah temple. They loved life together and did a lot of traveling. After Peggy became bedridden he was her full-time care giver until she passed. He continued faithful service in the church but missed her every day of his life. Kay will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by one brother Glen, Rigby, ID,Daughter Tracy Mecham Huntsman (Mark), 2 sons, Jeffery T Mecham and Gregory S. Mecham (Amber) both of Ogden, UT, step children, Rick John Griego Midway, UT and Tonya Ardell Nelson (Paul) Port Orange, FL, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Amasa Lyman Mecham, mother Gladys Halsem, 2 sisters Donna Burchnal and Darlene Haile and 1 brother Lynn Mecham.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Manila 10th Ward Chapel, 3785 West Boxelder Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah. Friends and family may call Thursday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
