Melvin Hales passed away at home with family by his side, at the age of 81 on Thursday, July 8, 2021 after battling cancer for over seven years.
He was born on April 24, 1940, the third child of Sarah Ann Elizabeth (lizzie) Stallings and James William (Giggie) Hales in Pikeville, Wayne County, North Carolina.
He married Maude JaNeen Davis on December 26, 1964 in Elmo, Utah. They were blessed with two daughters and one son.
Melvin was raised in Johnston County, North Carolina on a tobacco farm most of his early years. When he wanted to get his first car, he grew and sold peanuts to pay for it. Melvin had learned at a young age that if he wanted something he needed to work hard to get it. He taught his children to work hard and follow through with everything they did until it was finished; he also taught them to appreciate everything they have.
He met the love of his life on a blind date in Emery County, Utah. After getting married, they moved around several times with the seismograph crew until they settled in Elmo in November 1971. He later started working at Deer Creek Mine as a coal miner and built their current home where they have lived since November of 1977.
His love for his wife was unconditional. They were always together in everything they did, from building their house, raising children, to caring for each other in good times and hard times.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, family BBQs, trips to Wendover and Mesquite to play the slots and many trips to North Carolina. Family meant everything to him.
Survived by wife JaNeen; three children, Susan Elizabeth (Ralph) Anvik, Jennifer Marie Hales, William Melvin (Amellia) Hales; six grandchildren, Andrew, Michael, Andrea (Josh), Elizabeth, Deanna (Steven), Stuart; three great-grandchildren, Angela, Samantha, and William; four brothers, Edward Lee (Melba Gay) Hales, Richard Allen (Carol) Hales, Jimmy Wayne Hales, Charles Ray Hales; one sister, Barbara Anne (Harris) Atkinson; sisters in-law, Barbara Jean Hales, Bonnie Davis; brothers in-law, Gary Hodge, Shey (Laurie) Davis, and Reed Davis; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Ann Elizabeth (lizzie) Stallings and James William (Giggie) Hales; one brother, Earl Hales; two sisters, Etta Marie Hodge and Nettie (Tinky) Hales; mother and father in-law, William and Maude Stokes Davis; brothers and sisters in-law, Ileene and Glinn Gilbert, Edna and Dean Young, Wm. Farrel Davis, Rodney Davis, Helane and Don Lott.
Funeral service, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Cleveland Ward Chapel. The family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah 84501) Monday evening from 6-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Tuesday. Interment, Cleveland Town Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to CNS Hospice, especially Michelle, Candice, and Joe. Also, Dr. Potter, Dr. Larsen and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Mitchell Funeral Home.