Melvin James Ewing, age 88, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, in Elk Ridge, Utah. He was born on October 19, 1937, in Seattle, Washington. His parents were Geraldine and Claude Ewing.
Melvin spent his early years in the Martha Lake and Alderwood Manor area of Washington, growing up on a farm. He learned the value of hard work at a young age while raising animals and farming. Those early years shaped him into a hardworking man who could do just about anything. He was a jack of all trades to say the least.
He graduated from Edmonds Senior High School in 1956, where he studied blacksmithing, auto shop, wood shop, agriculture, welding, and other technical trades.
Melvin proudly served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1962. During his service, he was attached to UDT, completed electrical engineering schooling, and worked as a Navy diesel mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1962.
His education included, but was not limited to, 2 associate degrees in business administration and aviation engineering & mechanics, at Edmonds and South Seattle Community College.
On June 30, 1961, he married his sweetheart, Linae and they built a life together with their two children, James and Danielle.
Over the years, Melvin worked many jobs and was known for his strong work ethic and wide range of skills. After the Navy, he worked as a diesel mechanic, various types of construction and Boeing as an industrial engineer. He also served the City of Seattle as Director of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and Animal Control.
After retiring from the City of Seattle, Melvin worked for Idaho Power in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he especially loved skiing, making the first tracks in the snow, as he read meters. He later returned to Boeing in Everett, Washington, where he worked as an industrial design engineer before retiring in 2000.
In 2002, Melvin was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Edmonds, Washington and loved serving others in various assignments through the years.
From 2004 to 2009, he lived and worked again in Sun Valley, Idaho. He still worked hard after retirement, managing and maintaining condos for Black Diamond Properties. All his life and especially In Idaho, he enjoyed the great outdoors most. His love for camping, fishing, skiing, hiking, and being the camp cook for outdoor excursions, kept him busy, with family and friends.
In 2009, he retired for good and moved to Utah to live with his daughter, Danielle and son-in-law Dave and their family.
Melvin was known for his sense of humor, his gourmet cooking that brought family and friends together and his practical skills. He could construct, fix or remodel anything. He was always found helping his family, friends and community. It was a natural part of his personality to make everyone feel welcomed and loved. His family loves to remember his countless unforgettable sayings. One of his favorite responses when asked how he was doing was, “Better now!!”
Melvin is survived by his former wife, Linae; his children, James and Danielle; and 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and many others whose lives he touched. He was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Leave a Condolence