I'm Fine as Frog's Hair. Melvin LeRoy West passed peacefully from this life to the next on January 13, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. Melvin was born April 16, 1946, in Tacoma, Washington to Ellen Capitola Miller and Robert Emil West. After graduating from high school in Shelby, Montana, Melvin wanted to see the world, and the world he did see, by serving in the United States Navy. Melvin served 6 months aboard the USS Jenkins at Pearl Harbor and his remaining service was with The White House Communications Agency. While serving with the The White House communications Agency, he traveled with President and First Lady, Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew. He traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, Kuwait, Spain, and Africa among other Top Secret locations. One of our cherished memories is asking dad what he knew about Watergate and then he would give us this smile and be left forever wondering if he knew anything! While stationed at Treasure Island, CA, he met Phyllis DeHart at a USO dance. They were married September 4, 1966, in Oakland, CA. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. During their marriage they gallivanted from one coast to the other and Hawaii. After his service he attended BYU, where he studied nursing and then went on to North Idaho College where he graduated as a diesel mechanic. In 1978, they settled and raised their family in Green River, Wyoming. During his 30 years living in Green River, he worked at FMC. Melvin was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions and assignments but truly loved being with the youth of the church. While serving as a Sunday school teacher, Dad's annual and much loved White Christmas party was started and was held annually. Dad loved greeting those that entered the chapel doors each Sunday and he felt that was his most important role as a member of the Church. Melvin loved spending time with his family. Summers were spent traveling to visit extended family. He also enjoyed hosting spontaneous neighborhood water fights, card games with friend's, neighborhood and church get-togethers and also taking his children and their friends to various school, church and scout activities. He, along with the green River soccer coach, Mr. Lowry, would transport the soccer club to games across the state. He loved serving his neighbors. He enjoyed playing the clarinet, tying flies, fishing, tying balloons, knitting hats and reading. Some of his grandchildren had the pleasure of having a book exchange with their Grandfather. Dad was never without a Louis L'Amour book. Many of Dad's nieces and nephews have fond memories of Dad taking them to go get ice cream. Dad loved his ice cream. Dad never met a stranger and treated each person who came into his home as family. Melvin is survived by his wife Phyllis; sons, Robert West, Charles West; daughters, Ruthanne (Joe) Grajeda, MaryEllen (Don) Heskett. Grandchildren: Ryan West, Matthew West, Jasper West, Gabriela (Donavan) Grajeda, Jesus (Madison) Grajeda, Roly (Jenny) Grajeda, Carmen (Mikey) Grajeda, Genaro Grajeda, Alex Grajeda, Julianna Heskett, John Heskett and Emma Hesktett. Great Grandchildren: Julio, Emilio, Antonio and Oaklyn. Sisters: Bev (Wallace) Sauby, Pam (Scott) Escott, Fay (John) Delbridge, Nora (Shephen) Sharrah. Brother, Jim (Lorraine) West; brother-in-laws, Larvern Kinyon, Tony Dougherty, Bill Dehart; sister-in-law Sandy (Claude) Chouinard; and many beloved nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and friends. Melvin is preceded in death by his parents Ellen and Albin Billgren & Robert and Louise West. Sisters, Judy Kinyon and Carol Dougherty; and a nephew Bruce Kinyon. In lieu of flowers the family asked that you pay it forward in his memory: Make popcorn balls and deliver them to a local dentist, take a pumpkin pie to your neighbor, take a meal to someone in need, have ice cream with a friend, or greet a stranger on the street. The family would like to thank the staff at Owyhee Health and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of our father in the last months of his life. We invite you to attend an Open House from 3:00-5:00 PM, Saturday, January 29, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 121 North Canyon Street in Nampa, Idaho. Funeral and graveside services will be held in June and those details will be provided at a later date.
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