Melvin “Butch” Mognett

Melvin “Butch” Mognett passed away peacefully, April 10, 2024, he was surrounded by his loving wife and his children.
Melvin was born on a cold winter night in Zion National Park, January 5, 1944, to Jack and Viona Mognett. The nearest hospital was in Cedar City, but Mel couldn’t wait and his Dad delivered him in the back of his car. Mel graduated from Kanab High School where he played football and basketball. He started working with his Dad when he was 10 years old, learning how to operate heavy equipment, the career he pursued all of his life. Mel attended and played basketball at Provo Tech in Provo, Utah and graduated in 1964. That same year, June 12, 1964, he married his sweetheart, Sandra Lukus. Mel joined the Operating Engineers in 1966 and worked throughout Arizona doing what he loved, running heavy equipment, and moving dirt. Mel and Sandy started their family in 1969 with the addition of their baby boy, Brian. They moved back to Fredonia and eventually purchased a D6 Cat. It only seemed reasonable that his Dad Jack, Brother Dan and Mel would start a construction business, JDM Sand and Rock with each contributing a piece of heavy equipment. Together they built many of the infrastructures throughout Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. During that time, they added their daughter, Bridget in 1978 to complete their family.
Mel loved camping, hunting, and spending time with family. We made a lot of wonderful memories at Lake Powell and the Kaibab Mountain.
Mel leaves behind his sweetheart, Sandra, son Brian (Jennifer) and daughter Bridget (Chad) Purvis; Grandchildren – Kaylee, Miles, Jordan, Hayden and Ashlyn; Sisters Patti (Jim) Koons, Linda (Ray) Clark, Molly (Joe) Houston and many nieces and nephews.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Jack and Viona Mognett, brother, Daniel Mognett and brother-in-law, Carl Lukus.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM (AZ Time) in the Fredonia Arizona LDS Church. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45 AM (AZ Time) at the Church. Burial will be in the Fredonia Cemetery. Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.

2024-04-11T15:29:04+00:00

7 Comments

  1. Patti Sicherman April 11, 2024 at 12:35 am - Reply

    So sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with Family.

  2. lou anne taylor April 11, 2024 at 4:56 pm - Reply

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and the family

  3. Dennis Judd April 11, 2024 at 6:15 pm - Reply

    I am so sorry to hear about Butch or bogdown as I am known him for all my life he was a year younger than I but we went thru highschool together, we had his father Jack, older brother Dan and butch to always clean out our stock ponds on the Kaibab mountain!! There never was a job that Butch could not do! I’ve always treasured our friendship over the years! I will surely miss that MAN ! Best Wishes to his wonderful family ! ❤️❤️ Dennis & Kathy Judd

  4. Cindy Mackelprang April 11, 2024 at 6:45 pm - Reply

    We are so so sorry to hear of Butch’s passing. Many fun times & memories with Butch & Sandy. R.I.P. Butch. Fly high!

  5. Marie Paige April 11, 2024 at 6:52 pm - Reply

    I have some great memories with my cousins and will cherish them always. Butch was so laid back, fun, adventurous, loving AND what an amazing father he was! My heart breaks for his lovely wife, his daughter Bridgette and son Brian. hugs, love and Prayers to you all. Love, Marie, Cindy and Claudia (Meeker family)

  6. Catherine Terrel April 12, 2024 at 2:51 am - Reply

    Will surely miss his great sense of humor and his stories by the campfire. Our hearts go out to all of you. RIP Melvin.

  7. Todd and Kayleen Mosdell April 13, 2024 at 9:53 pm - Reply

    Always loved Butchs calm easy going attitude
    Even after my Dad died he brought the backhoe over to bury one of the horses and calmly took my son up and dug the hole amd buried my Sons and his Grandpa’s horse…my Son was 5yrs old but that memory has always stuck with all of us
    Butch and Dan and even Jack were a huge part of my childhood
    Love ya all
    Kayleen Riddle Mosdell

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