Melvin Lane

Melvin LeRoy Lane

"Pinky"

Pinky Lane, age 85, returned home to his Heavenly Father on February 20, 2023. He was born November 23, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Louise Crawford and Ted Lane. He got his nickname "Pinky" from his Grandpa Crawford. When Pinky was born his grandpa went to the hospital to see his new grandson. As Grandpa viewed him through the nursery window grandpa exclaimed, "Well that's a pink baby if ever I've seen one." From then on he was called Pinky by friends and family.

He had three sisters - Peggy, Patsy, and Penny. Being the only son, he was spoiled and he knew it. He particularly loved camping and fishing with his dad in the Uinta's. He had a happy childhood growing up in downtown Salt Lake with good friends and family close by. He attended East High School.

After high school, Pinky joined the US Army and spent some of his time in the military in Korea. Upon returning home from military service he obtained employment with Morton Salt Company in Magna, UT. He eventually became a maintenance mechanic. He worked for Morton Salt for 32 years until they were bought out by Rio Tinto. A few years later he retired from Rio Tinto.

Also upon returning from military service he was lined up on a blind date by his sister, Peggy. Five months later he married Margie Crouch, that sweet gal that stole his heart. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on their 15 th wedding anniversary.

Together they worked hard providing and caring for their three children - Colleen, Bobby and Brenda. They spent 12 happy years raising their young family in Hunter, UT with many other young families. They then moved to Taylorsville, UT where they have loved being for over 44 years.

Pinky loved watching sports and found great joy in watching his son Bob play little league football and baseball. Later, he enjoyed watching grandchildren improve their skills on the soccer field. The entire soccer team called him grandpa. He was always found pacing the sidelines and cheering loudly. A favorite memory the grandchildren have is enjoying eating grandpa's pancakes. Pinky enjoyed working in his garden. He could always grow a great crop of tomatoes and he particularly loved his roses.

A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served wherever he was asked - Aaronic Priesthood advisor, Elders Quorum Presidencies, High Priest Group Leadership, Sunday School Presidency, Ward Mission Leader and most recently ward missionary. Together, Pinky and Margie loved being a part of a temple sealing group which met once a week to participate in temple sealings. They also served a church service mission for a year. They were assigned to a ward in the Chesterfield area of Salt Lake where they helped with welfare needs. For over 20 years Pinky was a dedicated veil worker at the Jordan River Temple. He loved his service and his many friends there.

He was not a man of many words but his example spoke volumes.

Pinky is preceded in death by his wife and eternal companion, Margie; his parents Ted and Louise Lane; and his sisters Peggy Stoltenberg and Patsy Jones. He is survived by his children, Colleen (Doug) Harris, Robert Lane, and Brenda (Carlos) Da Silva; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his sister, Penny Facer.

Services will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11:00 at the Taylorsville 13th Ward Chapel, 1495 W. Tamarack Road. Viewings will be held 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023, and   10:00 - 10:45 on Monday, February 2, also at the 13th Ward Chapel. Interment is at Valley View Memorial, West Valley City, Utah.