The family of Louis James (Coach) Mele would like to express their love and gratitude for those that have reached out after his passing. He passed peacefully on October 6, 2020 surrounded by his kids and family in his Price, Utah home.
Lou was born 6 March 1933 to Salvatore and Rosina Oliveto Mele, and was reunited with his late wife, Claudette Wright Mele, after she returned home in 2009. Lou, the fifth of eight children, is a first generation Italian American and a Carbon County native. Louis was an exceptional athlete early on, receiving Carbon High School athletic honors in football, basketball and baseball. His high school football and baseball teams won their state championships and Lou was elected to the All-State Football team as a half-back, to the All-State Baseball team as a short stop and the All-State third team in basketball. His outstanding athletic career continued at the University of Utah where he played football and baseball earning All-Skyline Football honors in 1953 and 1954, and an honorable mention in 1955’s All American team. He was selected to play in the North/South All-Star Shrine Game and the Salad Bowl in Tucson, Arizona in 1956. While attending the University of Utah, Lou was also named to the All-Conference baseball team three years running. After graduation, Lou was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the San Francisco 49ers, but fulfilled a two and half year ROTC contract with the United States Air Force at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico and later carried out a contract with the Utah National Guard. Lou returned to athletics with a coaching career at Uintah High School in Vernal Utah and Carbon High School in Price, Utah and has been lovingly known as Coach Mele throughout the remainder of his life. He later entered the coal industry, but continued, with Claudette, to support and cheer on grandchildren and students in their athletic adventures, even helping as an assistant football and wrestling coach after retirement well into his 80’s.
Lou and Claudette were married in 1954, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Dragerton, UT. They raised four wonderful kids who learned to love sports, camping, fishing, and hunting who carried on those traditions in their own families. Claudette remained his biggest supporter and cheerleader through his college athletic career to the day she returned home in November 2009. Lou returned home to his wife, his parents, many of his siblings, his daughter (Patricia Ann), and a granddaughter (Mandi Mele). He is survived by his sister Rosie Mele Odette; two sons, Louis Michael and Gregory Paul, his daughter Jamie Christene, 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
A memorial graveside service will be held Saturday, 10 October, 2020, 10:00 am, Cliffview Cemetery in Price. A Celebration of Life for Lou and Claudette will be scheduled for a later date and venue. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome to share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.